SELECTED LESSONS- FROM THE PSALMS
SENIOR DIVISION, No.
276,
SECOND QUARTER, 1964'
THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY
"There should be a living, growing interest in storing the mind with Bible
truth. The precious knowledge thus gained will build a barrier about the
soul."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work,
page 36.
Let us resolve to be more diligent in the study of His Word and "set apart
a little time each day for the study of the Sabbath school lesson."—Ibid., p. 41.
My Daily Lesson Study Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I pledge
myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sabbath school
lesson each day of the week.
Nano
Lesson Titles for the Quarter
1.
Introduction to the Psalms
2.
Nature and Revelation Reveal God
3.
"The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation"
4.
"Blessed Are the Pure in Heart"
5.
Salvation Out of Suffering
6.
Forgiveness for the Repentant Sinner
7.
The Two Ways
8.
A Song of Utter Faith
9.
The Law of God
10.
Man's Brevity, God's Eternity
11.
From Doubt to Triumphant Faith
12.
Thanksgiving for God's Loving-Kindness
13.
"Give Thanks Unto the Lord"
Sabbath school Lesson Quarterly, No. 276, April-June, 1964. 20 cents a single copy, 75 cents a
year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A.
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Copyright, 1964, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U.S.A.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
SELECTED LESSONS FROM THE PSALMS
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
The psalms are the expression of pro-
found thoughts and hopes directed to the
Eternal Father, the One whom the psalmist
also blesses for personal and national mer-
cies. This sublime poetry contains glowing
testimonies to the perfection of God, to
His love, His power, His faithfulness, and
His righteousness. The relationship of the
psalms to Christ, and the fulfillment in the
New Testament of prophecies contained
in the Old, are a subject rich in fascina-
tion and infinite in spiritual reward.
The lessons for this quarter are not a
study of the entire book of Psalms, but
simply a contemplation of certain psalms
selected for their devotional and reflective
study value. May they prove to be a spiri-
tual blessing to
all.
Lesson 1, for April 4, 1964
Introduction to the Psalms
MEMORY VERSE:
"0 come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to
the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms." Ps. 95:1, 2.
STUDY HELP:
"S.D.A. Bible Commentary," vol. 3, pp. 615-629.
AIM:
To provide an introduction to the Psalter as a basis for a more meaningful
study of individual psalms.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1, 2; learn
memory verse.
Monday: Questions 3-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Check Here
Wednesday: Question 10; read
from study help.
Thursday: Questions 11, 12; finish
reading study help.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
11.
Introduction
I. The Place of Psalms in the Canon
1.
In
third
division of Hebrew Scrip-
tures. Luke 24:44.
2.
Meaning of "Psalms."
[8]
Authorship of the Psalms
3.
Multiple authorship. Psalms 3;
81; 90.
4.
David's qualifications. 1 Sam. 16:
15-23.
5.
David's musical talents. 1 Chron.
23:5.
6.
David's musical skill. 2 Sam. 23:1.
Ill. Characteristics of the Psalms
7.
Written under varied circumstances.
8.
Written in literary form of lyric
poetry.
9.
Of varied types.
10.
Recurring theme. Ps. 28:1, 2, 6, 7;
34:3-7.
IV. The Psalms in New Testament
Reference
11.
Frequently quoted.
12.
Inspiration ascribed to. Mark
12:36; Acts 1:16; 4:24, 25.
THE LESSON
ANSWER: "The book of Psalms, or the
Psalter, takes its English title from the LXX
[The Septuagint. The Greek version of the
OT—so called from the legend that the
translation was made by 70 emissaries from
Jerusalem for Ptolemy II, about 270 B.c.1
title of the collection,
Psalmoi,
the plural
of
psalmos,
which designates a song to be
sung to the musical accompaniment of
stringed instruments. One manuscript has
the title
Psalterion,
from which the word
`Psalter' is derived."—S.D.A.
Bible Com-
mentary, vol. 3,
p. 615.
Authorship of the Psalms
3. What can be said of the author-
ship of the psalms? See the superscrip-
tions to Psalms 3; 81; 90.
Introduction
"The psalms of David pass through the
whole range of experience, from the depths
of conscious guilt and self-condemnation to
the loftiest faith and the most exalted com-
muning with God. His life record declares
that sin can bring only shame and woe, but
that God's love and mercy can reach to the
deepest depths, that faith will lift up the
repenting soul to share the adoption of the
sons of God. Of all the assurances which
His Word contains, it is one of the strongest
testimonies to the faithfulness, the justice,
and the covenant mercy of
God."—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
page 754.
The Place of Psalms in the Canon
1. Into what three sections did the
Hebrews divide their sacred writings?
Luke 24:44.
NOTE.—"The Hebrews divided their
sacred writings (our OT) into three divi-
sions: the Law
(Torah),
the Prophets
(Nebi'im),
and the Writings
(Kethubim)
(see Vol. 1, p. 37). The division called Writ-
ings included the three poetical books,
Psalms, Proverbs, and Job; the Five Rolls
(Megilloth),
The Song of Solomon, Ruth,
Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther; and
the historical books of Daniel, Ezra,
Nehemiah, and Chronicles. Since Psalms
was considered the most important of the
Writings, that title was often made to
stand for the group (by the figure of speech
called synecdoche) ; thus the Hebrews fre-
quently spoke of the three divisions of their
sacred writings as 'the Law, the Prophets,
and the Psalms' (see Luke 24
:44)."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 615.
2. What is the meaning of the title
"Psalms"?
NOTE.—"The psalms are the inspired pro-
ductions of a number of authors, the whole
collection having been brought together in
its final form possibly by Ezra, Nehemiah,
or some of the scribes immediately follow-
ing their period. . . . Our oldest indications
regarding the origin of the Psalter are repre-
sented in the titles, or superscriptions, that
appear at the beginning of two thirds of
the psalms. . . .
"Eight names of persons occurring in the
superscriptions to the psalms appear to be
the names of authors, contributors, com-
pilers, musicians, or others associated with
the composition, compilation, and use of
the sacred lyrics. The names are David,
Asaph, Korah, Moses, Heman, Ethan, Solo-
mon, and Jeduthun. . .
"About one third of the psalms bear no
superscription whatsoever, and therefore
are entirely anonymous (they are called
orphan psalms). It has been conjectured
that among the composers of the psalms
were such other OT worthies as Ezra, Isaiah,
[ 4 ]
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Haggai."-S.D.A.
Bible Commentary, vol.
3, pp. 615-617.
4.
What qualifications placed
David in the royal court early in his
career? 1 Sam. 16:15-23.
NorE.-"David was a poet and a mu-
sician in his own right (1 Sam. 16:15-23;
2 Sam. 23:1; Amos 6:5). He was a man of
deep affection, of outstanding magnanimity
(2 Sam. 1:19-27; 3:33, 34), and of great
faith and deep feeling, which found expres-
sion in enthusiastic worship of Jehovah."-
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 616.
5.
What else is said of David's
musical talent? 1 Chron. 23:5.
6.
Because of his literary and mu-
sical productions, by what title was
David known? 2 Sam. 23:1.
Characteristics of the Psalms
7.
Name some of the varied circum-
stances under which the psalms were
written. See superscriptions to the
following psalms: 3; 18; 30; 34; 51;
52; 54; 56; 57; 59.
NOTE.-"David's acquaintance with the
world of nature, his knowledge of the law,
his tutelage in the school of adversity, of
sorrow, and of temptation, his years of
intimate fellowship with God, his colorful
life as king in Israel, his assurance from
God that He would raise up an everlasting
King upon the throne of David-these ex-
periences equipped the shepherd-king, the
son of Jesse, to sing the sweetest and sad-
dest songs of the human soul in its thirst for
God"-S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p.
616.
8.
In what literary form were the
psalms written?
ANSWER: Poetry.
NorE.-"The significant feature of He-
brew poetry is the rhythm of thought
called parallelism, or balanced structure,
the setting of line against line in a variety
of patterns. This peculiar structure has
been likened to the ebb and flow of the
tide, and, in the language of a German
writer, to 'the heaving and sinking of the
troubled heart' There is something about
it that transcends nationality. It seems to
be indigenous to the human heart. And the
Bible reader may take satisfaction in the
fact that this Oriental metrical form loses
little if any of its validity and beauty in
the English of the [King James Version],
as he grows used to recurrence of phrase
after phrase, marshaled according to a wide
range of variations in balance."-S.DA.
Bi-
ble Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 622.
9.
Name and give examples of
various types of psalms.
ANSWER:
1.
Nature. Psalms 8; 19; 29; 104.
2.
Historical and National. Psalms 46;
68; 79; 106; 107.
3.
Didactic (instructional). Psalms 1;
15; 35; 71.
4.
Messianic. Psalms 2; 22; 69; 72;
110.
5.
Penitential. Psalms 6; 32; 38; 51;
102.
6.
Imprecatory (denunciatory).
Psalms 35; 52; 69; 83 ; 109.
7.
Prayer, Praise, and Adoration.
Psalms 16; 55; 65; 86; 89.
8.
Pilgrim. Psalms 120 to 134.
9.
Alphabetic, or Acrostic. Psalms 9;
10; 25; 34; 119.
10.
What is the recurring theme of
the psalms? Ps. 28:1, 2, 6, 7; 34:3-7.
NOTE.-"Man is in trouble-God gives
relief. This is the theme-universal in its
appeal-of the book of Psalms. In these
sacred poems we hear the cry, not only of
the Hebrew, but of universal man, ascend-
ing to God for help, and see the hand of
Omnipotence reaching down to bring relief.
No wonder that for centuries, for Jew and
Gentile alike, the Psalter has supplied ma-
terial for private prayer and for public
devotion; it has served with equal satisfac-
tion as the formal liturgy for the Hebrew
Temple and synagogue, as the hymnbook
of the Christian church, and as the prayer
[5
]
book of the solitary child of God, regard-
less of race or creed. . . .
"There are psalms for every mood, for
every need: psalms for the disappointed,
for the discouraged, for the aged, for the
despairing, for the sick, for the sinner; and
psalms for the the youthful, for the vigor-
ous, for the hopeful, for the faithful, be-
lieving child of God, for the triumphant
saint. . . . And throughout the whole col-
lection, God is exalted as the solution to
all man's problems, the ultimate All in all:
our hope, our confidence, our strength, our
triumph—incarnate in the Messiah, whose
coming brings redemption and ushers in
the universal and eternal reign of righteous-
ness."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3,
pp. 619-621.
The Psalms in New Testament
Reference
11. What shows the importance
with which New Testament writers
regarded the messages of the psalms?
Luke 20:42; Acts 1:16, 20; 13:33; Heb.
4:7.
NOTE.—"Christians have to a degree fol-
lowed the pattern set by Judaism. Jesus of
Nazareth quoted more frequently from
Psalms and from Isaiah than from any
other OT books. No other OT book is so
frequently cited in the NT as the book of
"Well, says one, the calls
keep coming to give to the
cause. I am weary of giving.
Are you? Then let me ask,
Are you weary of receiving
from God's beneficent
hand?"—Counsels on Sab-
bath School Work,
page 133.
Psalms, with the possible exception of
Isaiah."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3,
p. 620.
12. How did these writers express
their confidence in the divine inspira-
tion of the psalms? Mark 12:36; Acts
1:16; 4:24, 25.
For Meditation
1.
Does my religious devotion allow mo-
ments to praise God for obvious blessings,
and do I respond with the "whole heart"
to these countless unmerited gifts?
2.
Do I find that for me there is no
greater blessing than to be in God's house
with His people, and no greater calamity
than to be cut off from this privilege?
Lesson 2, for April 11, 1964
Nature and Revelation Reveal God
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 19.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in Thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer." Ps. 19:14.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Desire of Ages," pages 307-310; "Education," pages 99-101;
"The Ministry of Healing," pages 410-418; "Steps to Christ," pages 9-11;
"Testimonies," vol. 8, pp. 256-262, 319-328; "S.D.A. Bible Commentary," on
Psalm 19; selected nature psalms: Psalms 8;
29;
104.
AIM:
To show that nature and revelation both lead to acknowledgment
of
God
and love for Him.
(6]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
learn memory verse.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
❑
Monday: Questions 5-7; begin read-
ing study helps.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8, 9; read
further from study helps.
0
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 10,
11;
read
further from study helps.
Thursday: Questions 12-14; finish
reading study helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. God's Glory Revealed in Nature
1.
The witness of the heavens. Ps.
19:1.
2.
Continuous nature of the witness.
V. 2.
3.
Understanding the witness. Vs. 3, 4,
first part.
4.
The sun as a supreme witness.
Vs. 4 (last part), 5, 6.
II. God's Glory Revealed in His Law
5.
The witness of the law. V. 7.
6.
The inclusiveness of the law. Vs.
7-10.
7.
The law as a converting and edu-
cating power. V. 7.
8.
The ministry of the law in chang-
ing man's nature. V. 8.
9.
The permanence of the law. V. 9,
first part.
10.
The righteousness of the law. V. 9,
last part.
11.
The desirability of the law. V. 10.
III. Application to Character and
Conduct
12.
The blessing of reward. V. 11.
13.
Prayer for deliverance from mis-
takes and presumption. Vs. 12, 13.
14.
Concluding prayer. V. 14.
See note to question 5 for the sense in
which "law" is used in this lesson.
THE LESSON
Introduction
Psalm 19 is perhaps the best known of
the nature psalms. It is a grateful medita-
tion on the revelation of God in nature and
in His law, and is motto might well be,
"Nature and revelation alike testify of God's
love."-Steps to Christ,
page 9. Among the
Hebrews, nature was never an end in itself,
but nature pointed them to the Creator and
led them to praise the power and majesty
of the Creator. The psalm was composed
by David, who as a shepherd lad with his
sheep on the Judean hills spent many hours
under the open sky, praising God for His
goodness.
God's Glory Revealed in Nature
1. Of what do the heavens testify?
Ps. 19:1. Compare Rom. 1:19, 20.
NOTE.
-"Wisdom,
power, skill, benevo-
lence-[are] the things that constitute God's
glory. A glimpse at the open sky with the
naked eye is sufficient to impress upon the
beholder a sense of the glory of God. How
much greater is that revelation when the
heavens are scrutinized through modern
high-powered telescopes."-S.D.A.
Bible
Commentary,
on Ps. 19:1. "It is as though
the word 'glory' were written in capital let-
ters across the very heavens and the firma-
ment."-H. C. Leupold,
Exposition of the
Psalms,
page 179.
"The works of creation testify of God's
power and greatness. . . . Those who take
the Written Word as their counselor will
find in science an aid to understand God."-
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 116.
The contemplation of nature should al-
ways lead the Christian to look beyond
nature-that which was created-to God,
the Creator. "God's handiwork in nature is
not God Himself in nature. . . . While na-
ture is an expression of God's thought, it is
not nature, but the God of nature, that is
to be exalted."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 413.
2.
How continuous is the witness of
nature to the goodness and power of
God? Ps. 19:2.
3.
Although creation does not
speak audibly, how far his its mes-
sage extended? Verses 3, 4, first part.
NorE.—The word "where" in this verse
is a supplied word; it does not occur in the
original Hebrew. "The idea is that, despite
the fact that the heavens have a language
of their own, . . . their voice is inaudible;
it does not speak to the ear, but to the
understanding heart."—S.D.A.
Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ps. 19:3.
The word "line" means a "measuring
line," used to fix boundaries. The world-
wide extent of the proclamation of the
story of creation is indicated. In Romans
10:18 the apostle quotes part of this verse
to illustrate the spread of the gospel.
4.
To which of the heavenly bodies
does the psalmist refer to emphasize
the majesty of God's creation? Verses
4 (last part), 5, 6.
NOTE.—In poetic terms David describes
the motion of the sun as it appears to us.
The intent of the figure is to portray the
extent and completeness of the sun's mo-
tion throughout the day.
God's Glory Revealed in His Law
5.
To what does the psalmist now
turn as an even clearer revelation of
God than that given by nature?
Verse 7.
NOTE.—David has just recognized that
"there is nothing hid from the heat" of the
sun. "As he has felt the sun, perhaps in the
desert, searching him out in every nook of
shade where he attempted to hide from it,
so he feels the Law searching out all the
hiding-places of his soul." C. S. Lewis,
Reflections on the Psalms,
page 64.
"Law" is the translation of the Hebrew
torah,
meaning "instruction." It includes
the Ten Commandments, but is not re-
stricted to the Ten Commandments, nor
even to the Pentateuch, which are but parts
of it. It "must be taken to include the
whole of revelation—all that God has
made known of His nature, character, and
purpose, and of what He would have man
be and do."—George Foot Moore,
Judaism,
vol. 1,
p. 263.
6.
How inclusive is the thought of
verses 7-10?
NOTE.-
Name for the Law
Nature of the Law
law
perfect
testimony
sure
statutes
right
commandments
pure
fear
clean
judgments
true
enduring
righteous
Effects of the Law
converting
making wise
rejoicing
enlightening
Observe the different terms used to de-
scribe the varied aspects of divine revelation
and compare Psalm 119. Verses 7-10 appear
in essence throughout Psalm 119.
7.
What does the law do for the
soul? Verse 7.
NoTE.—"It was the privilege of the Jew-
ish nation to represent the character of God
as it had been revealed to Moses. . . . This
was the fruit that God desired from His
people. In the purity of their characters,
in the holiness of their lives, in their mercy
and loving-kindness and compassion, they
[8
]
were to show that 'the law of the Lord is
perfect, converting the
soul.'"—Christ's
Object Lessons,
pages 285, 286.
"In the life of Christ the principles of
the law are made plain; and as the Holy
Spirit of God touches the heart, as the light
of Christ reveals to men their need of His
cleansing blood and His justifying righ-
teousness, the law is still an agent in bring-
ing us to Christ, that we may be justified by
faith."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 308.
Childlike simplicity is the first step
toward wisdom. See Matt. 11:25.
8. What can the statutes and com-
mandments do for man's nature?
Verse 8.
11. What comparisons does David
use to show the desirability of these
judgments? Verse 10.
NOTE.—"Gold is regarded as an article of
great value among men, but spiritual
riches gained through following God's pre-
cepts are far superior to material wealth....
"To the Hebrew it [honey] was a symbol
of all that was pleasant to the palate. Even
sweeter to the soul are God's command-
ments."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
19:10.
Application to Character and
Conduct
NOTE.—"Here is the only safeguard for
individual integrity, for the purity of the
home, the well-being of society, or the
stability of the nation. Amidst all life's
perplexities and dangers and conflicting
claims the one safe and sure rule is to do
what God
says."—Education,
page 229.
9.
How long will the "fear" of the
Lord endure? Verse 9, first part.
NoTE.—There is nothing transient or of
short duration about the fear of the Lord.
"It is the 'instruction of wisdom' (Prov.
15:33). The man who fears God will also
respect and observe His precepts."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 19:9.
10.
How are the judgments of the
Lord described? Verse 9, last part.
NOTE.—"In mercy to the world, God
blotted out its wicked inhabitants in Noah's
time. In mercy He destroyed the corrupt
dwellers in Sodom. Through the deceptive
power of Satan the workers of iniquity ob-
tain sympathy and admiration, and are thus
constantly leading others to rebellion. It
was so in Cain's and in Noah's day, and in
the time of Abraham and Lot; it is so in
our time. It is in mercy to the universe
that God will finally destroy the rejecters
of His grace."—The
Great Controversy,
page 543.
12.
What added blessing comes
from keeping the law? Verse 11.
NoTE.—The psalmist does not seek to
promote selfish observance of the law for
the sake of reward, but rather offers re-
ward as another of the manifold benefits
of keeping the law.
"By constantly contemplating heavenly
themes, our faith and love will grow
stronger. Our prayers will be more and
more acceptable to God, because they will
be more and more mixed with faith and
love. They will be more intelligent and
fervent. There will be more constant con-
fidence in Jesus, and you will have a daily,
living experience in the willingness and
power of Christ to save unto the uttermost
all that come unto God by Him."—Ellen
G. White Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Com-
mentary,
vol. 3, p. 1145.
13.
From what two kinds of sin
does David pray to be kept? Verses
12, 13.
NoTE.—"Secret faults" are errors of which
we may be unaware. "Presumptuous sins"
are sins known to the sinner, actually com-
mitted in defiance of the Lord. Only by en-
lightenment derived from God's law and
by His grace can the sinner become up-
right and innocent of sin.
E93
14. With what prayer does the
For Meditation
psalmist close the psalm? Verse 14.
NOTE
.-The Hebrew word translated
"strength" means "rock." God is both our
"Rock," on whom we may build our char-
acter, and our "Redeemer," who delivers us
from the power and guilt of sin. Compare
Ps. 78:35; see also Deut. 32:4; Ps. 18:2;
Isa. 41:14.
1.
How may I learn to recognize more
clearly the hand of God in nature?
2.
How may the Sabbath direct my mind
to God through nature?
3.
Does my life prove to others that "the
law of the Lord is perfect, converting the
soul"?
4.
Do I really enjoy the study of God's
Word? If not, what is the hindering cause?
Lesson 3, for April 18, 1964
"The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation"
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 27.
MEMORY VERSE:
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the
Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1.
STUDY HELPS:
"Education," pages 255, 256; "Steps to Christ," pages 121-126
(1908 ed., pp. 126-132; 1921 ed., pp. 123-128); "S.D.A. Bible Commentary,"
on Psalm 27.
AIM:
To encourage the realization that complete confidence in God's power to
save will banish all fear from the believer's heart.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
learn the memory verse.
0
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4, 5.
Tuesday: Questions 6-8; begin
reading study helps.
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 9-11; read
further from study helps.
O
Thursday: Questions 12, 13; finish
reading study helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Confidence in God
1.
The remedy for fear. Ps. 27:1.
2.
Confidence despite slander. V. 2.
3.
Confidence in extreme danger. V. 3.
4.
Confidence developed in the sanc-
tuary. Vs. 4, 5.
5.
The ultimate outcome of experienc-
ing confidence. V. 6.
[ 10
A Cry for Help
6.
A recognition of need. V. 7.
7.
Fellowship with God. V. 8.
8.
Desire for continued fellowship.
V. 9.
9.
Assurance of God's care. V. 10.
10.
Plea for God's guidance. V. 11.
11.
Desire for complete victory. V. 12.
Relief in Absolute Trust
12.
Sustained by confidence. V. 13.
13.
Injunction to wait on the Lord.
V. 14.
THE LESSON
4. In what did David find the foun-
dation for his confidence in God?
Verses 4, 5.
Introduction
Psalm 27 was composed by David when
he was "a hunted fugitive, finding refuge
in the rocks and caves of the wilderness."
—Education,
page 164. It is an expression
of absolute confidence in the Lord when
the psalmist was beset by manifold dangers.
The message of the psalm is especially per-
tinent to us who live in an age when men's
hearts are "failing them for fear." Luke
21:26.
Confidence in God
1.
When confronted by fear, in
whom may man put his confidence?
Ps. 27:1. Compare John 1:7-9; 12:46;
1 John 1:5.
NoTE.—If God is our light, our salvation,
our strength (literally, "stronghold"), we
have no reason to fear men or devils. See
Rom. 8:31; 1 John 4:18. Ps. 27:1 is a
perfect example of Hebrew parallelism in
which the thoughts are arranged in pairs,
like a sound and its echo. This is the chief
metrical characteristic of Hebrew poetry.
2.
What experience came to the
evil men and slanderers who attacked
the psalmist? Ps. 27:2.
NOTE.—For "to eat up my flesh," the
Revised Standard Version has "uttering
slanders against me." Compare Ps. 22:13,
16, 21, where the psalmist compares his
enemies to ravenous beasts.
3.
Through what extreme dangers
would the psalmist be able to main-
tain his composure and confidence?
Verse 3.
NoTE.—It seems that David's confidence
grows even stronger when his enemies are
multiplied into an army and war is de-
clared against him. Compare Ps. 3:6.
NOTE.—"We now come to the roots of
this bold faith. The psalmist had kept in
closest communion with his God. He knew
that God had made his courage strong,
and he thus ardently voices his desire for the
continuance of this communion as the one
great goal of his life. But he also knows
that such fellowship cannot be continued
unless it is continually fed by prayer."—
H. C. Leupold,
Exposition of the Psalms,
page 236.
The one who lives in close fellowship with
God is hidden "in His pavilion" till the
danger is past, is shut away in a "secret"
place where the enemy cannot find him, is
set "upon a rock" above all danger—he
has no reason to fear.
The word translated "beauty" may also
be translated "graciousness," "kindness." In
close communion with God the soul realizes
how gracious He is.
5.
What was the result of such close
fellowship with God? Verse 6. Com-
pare Ps. 16:11.
NoTE.—Appreciation of God's gracious-
ness expresses itself in "sacrifices of joy"
and "praises unto the Lord."
"The melody of praise is the atmosphere
of heaven; and when heaven comes in touch
with the earth, there is music and song—
`thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.'"
—Education,
page 161.
A Cry for Help
6.
When surrounded by dangers,
what prayer did the psalmist utter?
Ps. 27:7.
NoTE.—"At this point in the psalm there
is a complete change in tone from implicit
trust to a plaintive cry for help. . . . Even
when assured of God's favor, we need con-
tinually to recognize our need of Him and
to request His
aid."—S.D.A. Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ps. 27:7.
7.
In what intimate dialogue does
the psalmist express the beauty of
fellowship between himself and God?
Verse 8.
NoTE.—"The preciousness of God's favor
as shown in His face looking upon His
children is one of the richest concepts in the
Psalter."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
27:8.
8.
What plea expresses David's
continual desire, and upon what did
he base his hope for continued bless-
ings? Verse 9.
NoTE.—The Christian who has experi-
enced God's saving grace may well address
Him as "God of my salvation." As God
has blessed him in the past, he may confi-
dently expect the continuance of His mercy.
9.
How great was the psalmist's as-
surance of God's care? Verse 10. Com-
pare Isa. 49:14-16.
10.
In what kind of pathway did
David pray to be led? Ps. 27:11. Com-
pare Ps. 25:4; 5:8.
NoTE.—God's way is "a level path"
(R.S.V.) through the ups and downs of life.
11.
What final petition did the
psalmist make? Ps. 27:12.
Relief in Absolute Trust
12.
How did the psalmist express
his faith in the triumph of good?
Verse 13.
NOTE.-"/
had fainted.
These words do
not occur in the original. They are inserted
to complete the evident meaning of the
psalmist: 'What would have become of me,
if I had not believed in the goodness of
God I' So many and formidable are his
enemies that he would collapse were it not
for his sure belief that he will ultimately see
a revelation of God's goodness on earth
(see Job 19:25-27). This marks a sublimity
of faith devoutly to be desired by every one
of God's children. Faith could lapse into
fear, if hope did not keep aflame."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
27:13.
13.
With what exhortation does the
psalmist encourage the reader to seek
the Lord? Verse 14. Compare Ps.
25:5, 21.
NOTE.—The last two verses of this psalm
are a sort of repetition of the first six verses
and a reassurance of confidence.
"Work in faith, and leave results with
God. Pray in faith, and the mystery of His
providence will bring its answer. At times
it may seem that you cannot succeed. But
work and believe, putting into your efforts
faith, hope, and courage. After doing what
you can, wait for the Lord, declaring His
faithfulness, and He will bring His word to
pass. Wait, not in fretful anxiety, but in
undaunted faith and unshaken
trust."—Tes-
timonies, vol. 7,
p. 245.
For Meditation
1.
What are the values of the fellowship
of public worship?
2.
What personal gains come from ex-
pressing appreciation of God's goodness?
3.
What is the effect of fear on bodily
and mental health? the effect of courage?
"We should come with rever-
ence to the study of the Bible,
feeling that we are in the
presence of
God."—Testimo-
nies to Ministers,
page 107.
[`12 7-
Lesson 4, for April 25, 1964
"Blessed Are the Pure in Heart"
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 24.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand
in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." Psalm 24:3, 4.
STUDY HELPS:
2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 15; "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages
707, 708; "The Desire of Ages," page 833; "Early Writings," pages 187-191
;
"Testimonies to Ministers," pages 426-443; "S.D.A. Bible Commentary," on
Psalm 24.
AIM:
To help us understand that only the pure in heart can enter into the presence
of God.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1, 2; learn
memory verse.
Monday: Questions 3-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9. ."
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 10-12; begin
reading study helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
O
O
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Sovereignty of God
1.
Sovereign of the earth. Ps. 24:1.
2.
God's right to sovereignty. V. 2.
II. Conditions of Coming Into God's
Presence
3.
The question. V. 3.
4.
The fourfold answer. V. 4.
5.
The source of man's righteousness.
V. 5.
6. Man's part in finding righteousness.
V.6.
III. God's Entrance Into His Holy Place
7.
The summons. V. 7.
8.
The question in the response. V. 8,
first part.
9.
The answer. V. 8, second part.
10.
The summons repeated. V. 9.
11.
The question repeated. V. 10, first
part.
12.
The final answer. V. 10, second
part.
THE LESSON
Introduction
Psalm 24 is generally considered "to have
a historical background in the events of
2 Sam. 6 and 1 Chron. 15. David had cap-
tured the Jebusite stronghold of Zion (2
Sam. 5:6-10) and now determined to bring
the ark from its temporary resting place in
the house of Obed-edom at Kirjath-jearim
to the tent that he had prepared for it in
the city of Jerusalem. Accordingly, he ar-
ranged a ceremony for the occasion in
which Ps. 24 was sung as part of the high
ritual (see PP 707, 708). . . . The words
[13
]
of vs. 7-10 of the psalm were sung by two
choirs of angels when heaven welcomed
the true Son of David back to the heavenly
Jerusalem (see DA 833; EW 187, 190,
191)."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on
Psalm 24.
The thought expressed in this psalm is
reflected in the New Testament beatitude,
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God." Matt. 5:8.
Conditions of Coming
Presence
3. What penetrating
asked with respect to
God's presence? Verse
Psalm 15.
Into God's
question is
coming into
3. Compare
The Sovereignty of God
1.
Whom does the psalmist set
forth as possessing the world? Ps.
24:1. Compare Ps. 50:12.
NOTE.—There is an initial implication in
this verse that ought to give us courage:
"The Lord is rich in resources. He owns
the world. Look to Him who has light, and
power, and efficiency. He will bless every-
one who is seeking to communicate light
and
love."—Testimonies, vol.
7, p. 212.
"Although Zion was His appointed
dwelling, His presence and sovereignty ex-
tended throughout the world."—A. Cohen,
The Psalms
(Soncino edition), page 69.
"The verse is a perfect example of synon-
ymous parallelism, the second half balanc-
ing, repeating, and enlarging the thought
of the first half."—S.D.A.
Bible Commen-
tary,
on Ps. 24:1.
2.
By what right does God lay
claim to the earth and all that it con-
tains? Ps. 24:2.
NOTE.—"God has laid His hand upon all
things, both man and his possessions; for
all belong to Him. He says, I am the owner
of the world; the universe is Mine, and I
require you to consecrate to My service the
firstfruits of all that I, through My bless-
ing, have caused to come into your hands.
God's word declares, 'Thou shalt not delay
to offer the first of thy ripe fruits.' Honor
the Lord with thy substance, and with the
firstfruits of all thine increase.' This trib-
ute He demands as a token of our loyalty
to
Him."—Counsels on Stewardship,
page 72.
NOTE.—The question is equivalent to ask-
ing, "What is true religion? What kind of
worship is acceptable in God's sight?" It
should be borne in mind that the calamity
of the death of Uzzah was fresh in the
memory of David and the people of Israel.
See 2 Samuel 6.
"God can accept no partial obedience, no
lax way of treating His commandments. By
the judgment upon Uzzah He designed to
impress upon all Israel the importance of
giving strict heed to His requirements. Thus
the death of that one man, by leading the
people to repentance, might prevent the
necessity of inflicting judgments upon
thousands."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
706.
4.
What four qualifications must
one have to come into God's pres-
ence? Ps. 24:4. Compare Isa. 33:
14, 15.
NoTE.—Ellen G. White wrote of the
saints at the time of the second advent: "We
all cried out: 'Who shall be able to stand?
Is my robe spotless?' The angels ceased to
sing, and there was a time of awful silence,
when Jesus spoke: 'Those who have clean
hands and pure hearts shall be able to
stand; My grace is sufficient for you.'
"—
Testimonies,
vol. 1, p. 60.
"We are nearing the judgment, and those
who bear the message of warning to the
world must have clean hands and pure
hearts. They must have a living connec-
tion with God. The thoughts must be pure
and holy, the soul untainted, the body, soul,
and spirit be a pure, clean offering to God,
or He will not accept
it."—Testimonies to
Ministers,
page 426.
5.
What is the source of man's righ-
teousness? Ps. 24:5. Compare. Ps.
118:19, 20.
14
NorE.—The psalmist is not content
merely to give a catalog of virtues; he is
careful to stress the fact that man's righ-
teousness comes from the God of his sal-
vation.
"Communion with God means man's
transformation. The pilgrims who seek ad-
mittance to Zion must receive a righteous-
ness which was not hitherto their own."—
Samuel Terrien,
The Psalms and Their
Meaning for Today,
page 109.
"We must have less faith in what we can
do and more faith in what the Lord can
do for us, if we will have clean hands and
pure
hearts."—Testimonies, vol.
7, p. 212.
6.
What attitude on man's part is
commended by the psalmist? Ps. 24:6.
Compare Jer. 29:13; Matt. 6:33.
NOTE.—"That seek Thy face, 0 Jacob."
In the Septuagint this clause is rendered
"that seek the face of the God of Jacob."
Like Jacob of old, who struggled all night
with God and thus became a new creature,
those who seek God earnestly with a whole
heart will obtain the blessing of righteous-
ness.
"Selah" is a word of uncertain meaning
and doubtful significance, variously inter-
preted to indicate a pause, an instrumental
interlude, a change of melody, emphasis,
etc. Here, as in several other psalms, the
word appears at the close of a section of
thought. When reading the psalms aloud,
omit this word.
God's Entrance Into His Holy Place
7.
What summons does the proces-
sion bringing the ark to Jerusalem
give as it approaches the gates of
Zion? Ps. 24:7.
NorE.—At the beginning of this cere-
mony, the bearers of the ark, which is the
God-appointed symbol of His presence, are
at the gates of Zion, and the procession is
about to bring the ark into the city, which
was to be its permanent residence.
"Lift up your heads." This appears to be
a command for the top of the gates to be
heightened, to permit the King of glory to
pass through.
8.
What question comes as a re-
sponse to those who demanded the
opening of the gates of Zion? Verse
8, first part.
NOTE.—The sentries at the gate are repre-
sented as challenging those who seek en-
trance to the city.
9.
What answer is given by the
procession? Verse 8, second part.
NorE.—This answer accords with the
ideas in verses 1 and 2, where God is repre-
sented as the sovereign Creator of the earth.
10.
Again what summons does the
procession give before the gates of
Zion? Verse 9.
Nora.—The summons and response are
repeated for emphasis and added impres-
siveness.
11.
What question is repeated by
those in charge of the opening of the
gates? Verse 10, first part.
12.
What glorious response is
given by the procession? Verse 10,
second part. Compare 2 Samuel 6:2;
1 Kings 22:19.
NOTE.—"All heaven was waiting to wel-
come the Saviour to the celestial courts. As
He ascended, He led the way, and the multi-
tude of captives set free at His resurrec-
tion followed. The heavenly host, with
shouts and acclamations of praise and celes-
tial song, attended the joyous train.
"As they drew near to the City of God,
the challenge is given by the escorting an-
gels,—
`Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates;
And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in.'
"Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond,—
`Who is this King of glory?' . . .
15
"The escorting angels make reply,-
'The Lord of hosts;
He is the King of glory.' Ps. 24:7-10.
"Then the portals of the City of God are
opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep
through the gates amid a burst of raptur-
ous music."-The
Desire of Ages,
page 833.
For Meditation
1.
What relation do reading, radio, TV,
music, etc., have to "clean hands and a pure
heart"?
2.
Am I seeking "the kingdom of God
and His righteousness" with a whole heart?
Lesson 5, for May 2, 1964
Salvation Out of Suffering
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 22.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the
afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto Him,
He heard." Ps. 22:24.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Desire of Ages," pages 741-757; "The Acts of the Apostles,"
pages 221-230; "Steps to Christ," chapter "The Sinner's Need of Christ;"
selected Messianic psalms: Psalms 2; 69;.72; 110.
AIM:
To show how the Christian can triumph over suffering and despondency, and
in faith render praise and thanksgiving to God.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
learn memory verse.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
❑
Monday: Questions 5-8.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 9-11; begin
reading study helps.
❑
Check
Here
Wednesday: Questions 12, 13; read
further from study helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Contrast Between God and Man
1.
Man's fear of abandonment. Ps.
22:1, 2; Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34.
2.
God's care in the past. Ps. 22:3-5.
3.
Man's desperate condition. Vs. 6-8;
Matt. 27:39, 41-43.
4.
Man's dependence on God. Ps.
22:9-11.
II. Man's Troubles of Body and Mind
5.
External troubles. Vs. 12, 13.
6.
Internal troubles. Vs. 14, 15.
7.
Enemies. Vs. 16-18; Matt. 27:35;
Luke 23:34;
John
19:23, 24.
8.
Prayer for deliverance. Ps. 22:19-21,
first part.
Ill.
Rejoicing in God's Goodness
9.
Sudden deliverance. V. 21, second
part.
10.
The psalmist's personal rejoicing.
Vs. 22-25.
11.
The rejoicing of the meek. V. 26.
12.
General rejoicing. Vs. 27-30.
13.
Future rejoicing. V. 31.
16
1
THE LESSON
rest of the verse. Faith struggles with fear."
—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 22:1.
Here is the cry of a child in desperation
who cannot understand why his father,
whom he has every reason to trust, has
abandoned him. In His humanity, on the
cross, Christ felt completely separated from
His 'Father. "God heard every cry, but
Christ had no evidence of answer."—Ibid.,
on Ps. 22:2.
2. What perplexity does the psalm-
ist express? Ps. 22:3-5.
Introduction
Psalm 22 has been accepted by genera-
tions of Christians as a prophetic and Mes-
sianic psalm and has sometimes been called
"The Psalm of the Cross," because of refer-
ences in it that the Gospel writers of the
New Testament apply to the sufferings of
Christ on the cross. Indeed, Christ identi-
fied Himself with the sufferer in the psalm
by quoting the first half of verse 1 in His
dying agony. As we study Psalm 22 it
would be well to reread the story of Christ's
last hours on the cross as told in Matthew
27:33-50; Mark 15:22-37; Luke 23:33-46;
John 19:17-30.
"Amid the awful darkness, apparently
forsaken of God, Christ had drained the
last dregs in the cup of human woe. In
those dreadful hours He had relied upon
the evidence of His Father's acceptance
heretofore given Him. He was acquainted
with the character of His Father; He un-
derstood His justice, His mercy, and His
great love. By faith He rested in Him
whom it had ever been His joy to obey.
And as in submission He committed Him-
self to God, the sense of the loss of His
Father's favor was withdrawn. By faith,
Christ was victor."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 756.
Psalm 22 may be divided into three parts,
the first depicting the contrast between
God and man, the second describing man's
troubles, and the third expressing thanks-
giving after deliverance. The psalm is
especially remarkable in structure in that
there is no transition between the trouble
of the first 21 verses and the relief of the
rest of the psalm—the change comes in the
middle of verse 21. Sometimes God's an-
swer comes when we least expect His help.
Contrast Between God and Man
1. How forcefully does the psalmist
express his suffering and fear of aban-
donment? On what occasion did Je-
sus utter this cry of despair? Ps. 22:
1, 2; Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34.
NOTE.-"
'My' seems to add a touch of
loving faith to the apparent despair of the
NoTE.—"The sufferer is perplexed by the
trial through which he passes. How can
his God, who is holy and full of compassion,
treat him in this fashion? . . . The sufferer
seems to plead the argument that since God
delivered the fathers who trusted Him,
surely He will deliver him. When we are
in darkness, seeing others rescued may make
our lot appear more bitter."—S.D.A.
Bible
Commentary,
on Ps. 22:3, 4.
3.
How desperate is the psalmist's
condition? How do his enemies in-
crease his despair? With what words
did the priests, scribes, and elders
taunt the humiliation of Christ on the
cross? Verses 6-8; Matt. 27:39, 41-43.
NoTE.—So desperate was the psalmist's
plight that he thought of himself as a worm
of the dust and no man; he forgot entirely
that he was created in the image of God
(Gen. 1:26) and made "a little lower than
the angels" (Ps. 8:5).
4.
Despite his suffering, what hope-
ful realization dawns upon the psalm-
ist's mind? Ps. 22:9-11.
NOTE.—His sense of hope, an instinct born
with him, led him to recognize that his only
help was in God. Since God had protected
him from his birth, He surely could still
be depended on. The psalmist turns the
mockery of his enemies into an argument
for deliverance.
[ 17
Man's Troubles of Body and Mind
5.
How does the psalmist describe
the troubles brought upon him by
fierce men? Verses 12, 13.
NOTE.—Bashan, a territory east of the
river Jordan, was famous for its large,
strong cattle. The psalmist compares his
enemies to strong bulls, to wild beasts
about to spring upon their prey, to a lion
hungry for the kill.
6.
How does he describe his an-
guish of soul? Verses 14, 15.
7.
How does the psalmist further
describe the depth of trouble into
which he has fallen? To what ful-
fillment of verse 18 did New Testa-
ment writers point? Verses 16-18;
Matt. 27:35; Luke 23:34; John 19:
23, 24.
NOTE.—"In the sufferings of Christ upon
the cross prophecy was fulfilled. Centuries
before the crucifixion, the Saviour had fore-
told the treatment He was to receive. He
said, 'Dogs have compassed Me: the as-
sembly of the wicked have enclosed Me:
they pierced My hands and My feet. I
may tell all My bones: they look and
stare upon Me. They part My garments
among them, and cast lots upon My ves-
ture.' Ps. 22:16-18. The prophecy concern-
ing His garments was carried out without
counsel or interference from the friends or
the enemies of the Crucified One. To the
soldiers who had placed Him upon the
cross, His clothing was given. Christ heard
the men's contention as they parted the
garments among them. His tunic was
woven throughout without seam, and they
said, 'Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it,
whose it shall be.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 746.
8.
In his deep anguish of body and
soul, what does the psalmist do? Ps.
22:19-21, first part.
NOTE.—The prayer of verse 11 is offered
with still deeper urgency. Note the phrase
"be not Thou far from me," repeating with
intensity the words "be not far from me"
of verse 11, and echoing the phrase "why
art Thou so far from me" of verse 1. The
word "thou" in verse 19 is placed first in
the Hebrew text for emphasis.
The Hebrew word translated "darling"
means "only one," like an only daughter;
in the parallel structure of verse 20 it is
equivalent to "soul."
Rejoicing in God's Goodness
9.
In response to his cry, what sud-
den change of feeling comes in the
midst of the verse? Verse 21, second
part.
NOTE.—"The psalmist's pleading ends
with a feeling of complete relief. He knows
that the Lord is near to help. This rapid
change of feeling in the midst of the verse
is typical of a large group of psalms (see
Ps. 3; 6; 12; 28;
etc.)."—S.D.A. Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ps. 22:21. It is as though a
crushing weight had been suddenly lifted
from off him.
"Although surrounded by `dogs,' lions,'
`bulls,' wild oxen,' the sufferer knows that
he is not forsaken. Despondency and gloom
give way to trust, peace, and joyous praise.
Verses 22-31 are a triumphant song of
praise."—Ibid.
10.
What spirit is now aroused in
the psalmist? Verses 22-25.
NOTE.—"Again and again I have been in-
structed to say to our people: Let your faith
and trust be in God. Do not depend on any
erring man to define your duty. It is your
privilege to say: 'I will declare Thy name
unto my brethren: in the midst of the con-
gregation will I praise
Thee.'"—Testimo-
nies,
vol. 9, pp. 279, 280.
"Thy name" is equivalent to "Thy char-
acter" as Saviour.
[
181
11.
Who especially will rejoice
with the psalmist over his deliverance
from trouble? Verse 26.
12.
How general will be the re-
joicing? Verses 27-30.
NoTE.—The picture is extended far be-
yond Israel to include all nations (com-
pare Isa. 66:23; 60:3-10) ; gradually the
horizon of the psalmist's outlook has been
broadened until it now includes all the
saved.
"In the latter part of the psalm—from
the words 'Thou hast answered me' (v. 21)
to the last word, 'He hath done it'—the
heart lifts itself up on the wings of faith,
and the prophet sees visions ever brighter
and brighter opening before his gaze."—J. J.
Stewart Perowne,
The Book of Psalms,
1864 ed., vol.
1, p.
106.
13.
Who will continue to testify
with the psalmist that God delivers
His children from trouble? Verse 31.
Compare Rom. 3:21-26.
NOTE.—"That He hath done this." That
God protects His suffering children and
delivers them from their enemies will be
the theme transmitted from generation to
generation.
For Meditation
1.
When I am tempted to feel forsaken
of God, can I still cling to Him in faith and
call Him "my God"?
2.
Can I recall experiences in which God
did not answer my prayers in the affirma-
tive, which I later recognized as best for
me?
3.
As God has interposed in behalf of His
children in the past, may I expect Him to
interpose in my behalf now?
4.
Am I growing daily in my understand-
ing of the atonement?
Lesson 6, for May 9, 1964
Forgiveness for the Repentant Sinner
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 51.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit
within me." Ps. 51:10.
STUDY HELPS:
2 Samuel 11; 12:1-14; "Patriarchs and Prophets," chapter 71; "Steps
to Christ," chapters, "Repentance," "Confession;" "Testimonies," vol. 5, pp.
635-641; "S.D.A. Bible Commentary," on Psalm 51.
AIM:
To
understand the nature of true repentance and God's power to forgive and
restore the sinner.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
learn memory verse.
Sunday: Questions 1-6.
Monday: Questions 7-10.
Tuesday: Questions 11-13; begin
reading study helps.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Question 14; read
further from study helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
[ 19 ]
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Prayer for Forgiveness
1.
God's love the basis for forgiveness.
Ps. 51:1.
2.
The specific reality of sin. Vs.
1-3, 9.
3.
All sin directed against God. V. 4.
4.
The human propensity to evil. V. 5.
5.
Complete cleansing. V. 7.
6.
Joy in forgiveness. Vs. 8, 12, first
part.
II. Prayer for Sanctification
7. Creation of a clean heart. V. 10.
8. In the presence of God. V. 11, first
part.
9. The office of the Holy Spirit. V. 11,
second part.
10. The necessity of a willing spirit.
V. 12, second part.
III. The Forgiven Sinner's Promises
11.
To instruct others in the way of
righteousness. V. 13.
12. To praise God for His goodness.
Vs. 14, 15.
13. To give the heart to God. Vs. 16, 17.
IV. Prayer for the Church
14. Extension of personal prayer to in-
clude others. Vs. 18, 19.
THE LESSON
Introduction
Psalm 51, perhaps the best known of the
penitential psalms, "was composed by David
`after his great sin [with Bathsheba], in the
anguish of remorse and self-abhorrence'
(Ed 165). It is an expression of his 're-
pentance, when the message of reproof came
to him from God,' intended 'to be sung
in the public assemblies of his people, . . .
that others might be instructed by the sad
history of his fall' (PP 724, 725). It is a
prayer for forgiveness and for sanctifica-
tion through the Holy Spirit. Accompany-
ing the petition are vows of gratitude for
God's mercy and promises for the future."
-S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Psalm 51.
Compare Psalms 6; 32; 38; 102; 130; 143.
Prayer for Forgiveness
1. What attributes of God did
David recognize as ground for for-
giveness? Ps. 51:1.
NoTE.-The Hebrew word
chesed,
trans-
lated "loving-kindness," when applied to
God, describes His attitudes, relationships,
and dealings with respect to man. "Mercy,"
"pity," and "kindness" are other appropriate
translations, but no single word can cover
the full breadth of God's benevolence com-
prehended in the word. The New Testa-
ment equivalent is "love," as used in 1 John
4:7, 8, etc.
2.
For what does David seek for-
giveness? Verses 1-3, 9.
Nora.-"True confession is always of a
specific character, and
-
acknowledges par-
ticular sins. . . . All confession should be
definite and to the point, acknowledging
the very sins of which you are guilty."-
Testimonies, vol. 5,
p. 639.
In David's cry for forgiveness there is no
suggestion of excuse, apology, or self-vindi-
cation. The truly penitent sinner blames
no one but himself.
Sin is described under three names:
"transgression," mutiny, rebellion, willing,
departure from God; "iniquity," moral dis-
tortion, a warping of the personality; "sin,"
completely missing the mark.
Forgiveness is described under three vivid
words: "blot out," referring to the removal
of the damaging record from God's book;
"wash," a cleansing from sin, a figure drawn
probably from the Eastern custom of
scrubbing clothes; "cleanse," often used of
ritual cleansing, as of from contact with
disease.
"Throughly" is an archaic form of "thor-
oughly."
3.
Against whom is
all
sin ulti-
mately directed? Verse 4. Compare
2 Sam. 12:13; Gen. 39:9; 1 Cor. 8:12.
[201
NOTE.-"All
wrong done to others
reaches back from the injured one to God."
—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 639.
4.
In asking forgiveness, what in-
herited tendencies did David recog-
nize? Ps. 51:5.
NoTE.—He "sought to stress the still
greater need of God's mercy because of his
inborn tendency to do
evil."—S.D.A. Bible
Commentary,
on Ps. 51:5.
5.
For what purity did the psalmist
plead? Verse 7.
NOTE.—David understood the spiritual
meaning of the ceremonial law. "Do not
listen to the enemy's suggestion to stay
away from Christ until you have made
yourself better. . . . If you wait until then,
you will never come. When Satan points
to your filthy garments, repeat the promise
of Jesus, 'Him that cometh to Me I will
in no wise cast out.' John 6:37. Tell the
enemy that the blood of Jesus Christ
.
cleanses from all sin. Make the prayer of
David your own, 'Purge me with hyssop,
and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall
be whiter than snow.'
"—Christ's Object
Lessons,
pages 205, 206.
6.
What evidence of God's forgive-
ness did David pray for? Verses 8, 12,
first part.
NoTE.—Through forgiveness God cleanses
the heart; .through sanctification He brings
forth a new life. The sincerely-penitent
sinner always accompanieshiS
,
-praye_r)for
forgiveness with a prayer for sandification.
"David's prayer is for a spirit that is
steadfast in its faith, and therefore constant
in its obedience. The psalmist desires an
entirely new mental and moral nature."—
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 51:10.
8.
In whose presence did David
pray that he might remain? Ps. 51:11,
first part.
NoTE.—Lasting satisfaction is found only
in the sense of God's presence. See Ps.
16:11; 30:7.
9.
Which person of the Godhead is
our guide in sanctification? Verse 11,
second part. Compare Rom. 8:8, 9.
10.
In what frame of mind did the
psalmist pray to be kept? Ps. 51:12,
second part.
NOTE.-"
'Free spirit' is better translated,
`willing spirit.' David prays to be kept in
a frame of mind willing and ready to obey
God and to serve
Him."—S.D.A. Bible
Commentary,
on Ps. 51:12.
The Forgiven Sinner's Promises
NoTE.—David's supreme desire was to
hear God's sweet voice of forgiveness.
"Those who abide in Jesus will be happy,
cheerful, and joyful in
God."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 626.
Prayer for Sanctification
7. As a step beyond forgiveness,
what did David pray for? Verse 10.
Compare Ezek. 11:19; 36:26.
11. In the light of God's forgive-
ness and restoration, what resolution
did David make? Verse 13.
NoTE.—It is the Christian's responsibility
to instruct others concerning the sinfulness
of sin, that, like David, they may turn
from their sin and realize God's loving-
kindness.
21
"When the grace of God reigns within,
the soul will be surrounded with an atmos-
phere of faith and courage and Christlike
love, an atmosphere invigorating to the
spiritual life of all who inhale
it."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 6, p. 43.
12.
What did the psalmist say
would be a prominent result of for-
giveness? Verses 14, 15. Compare
Ps. 40:3.
NOTE.—"Forgiveness of sin and the relief
of conscience unstop the lips of sinners and
cause praise to flow forth abundantly."—
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 51:15.
"Bloodguiltiness" is probably a specific
reference to David's murder of Uriah (see
2 Samuel 11:14-17).
13.
What sacrifices are acceptable
to God? Ps. 51:16, 17.
NoTE.—"The sacrifices of God" are those
that He approves.
Prayer for the Church
14.
Whom did David include in his
closing prayer? Verses 18, 19.
NoTE.—It is characteristic of the psalmists
to include others in their prayers. True
religion is never selfish.
"With burnt offering.
External forms of
religion have their place. . • . We should
take care that the most formal parts of
public worship preserve the spirit of humble
worship. There p_nothing -wrong in follow-
ing certain forms,of worship, but rather in
a lack of sincere ieligiori-inotivating the
forms."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
51:19.
For Meditation
1.
Am I prone to explain and excuse my
sins on a basis of heredity, or environment?
2.
What personal evidence of a new men-
tal and moral nature do I have?
3.
Do I see the significance and value of
the forms of public wiorship)and preserve •
a spirit of humble cle'vetion during the
service?
Lesson 7, for May 16, 1964
The Two Ways
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm
1.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of
the ungodly shall perish." Psalm 1:6.
STUDY HELPS:
"Steps to Christ," chapter "Consecration;" "Testimonies," vol. 4, pp.
526, 527, 587-591; "S.D.A. Bible Commentary," on Psalm 1.
AIM:
To show that the happiness of this life and the blessedness in the life to
come are the result of our complete consecration to God.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
General survey;
0
0
0
Sabbath afternoon:
learn memory verse.
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5-9.
Tuesday: Questions 10-13.
Check Here
Wednesday: Read from study
helps.
0
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
[22
]
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Happiness of the Godly Man
1.
The opening word. Ps. 1:1, first
phrase.
2.
Steps in evil to be avoided. V. 1,
second, third, and fourth phrases.
3.
The first secret of happiness. V. 2,
first clause.
4.
The second secret of happiness.
V. 2, second clause.
II. The Effect of Blessedness
5. Likened to a tree. V. 3, first
clause.
6.
Careful nurture. V. 3, second clause.
7.
The blessing of fruitfulness. V. 3,
third clause.
8.
The blessing of perennial vigor. V.
3, fourth clause.
9.
The blessing of prosperity. V. 3,
fifth clause.
III. The Unhappiness of the Ungodly
Man
10.
Likened to chaff. V. 4, first clause.
11.
Lack of stability. V. 4, last clause.
12.
The final results of ungodliness.
V. 5.
13.
History's universal lesson. V. 6.
THE LESSON
"Happiness comprehends material and
spiritual blessings, both of which come as
a result of following God's way. The word
`blessed,' used in the Beatitudes in the
Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3-11), is a
translation of the same word . . . that is
used in the LXX to translate the 'blessed'
of Ps.
1."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on
Ps. 1:1.
"The Hebrew word
ashre,
usually ren-
dered 'blessed' or 'happy,' probably derives
from a root meaning 'to go forth,' to ad-
vance' and, in one of its forms, 'to lead
the way.' The happiness of the Bible is not
motionless but dynamic, and it has social
implications. It goes somewhere, it has a
purpose, and it opens a path to others."—
Samuel Terrien, in
The Psalms and Their
Meaning for Today,
page 240.
2. What three successive steps in a
life of evil does the godly man avoid?
Verse 1, second, third, and fourth
phrases.
The Happiness of the Godly Man
Introduction
This "Threshold Psalm," as it has been
called, constitutes an instructional or di-
dactic introduction to the book of Psalms.
It is a brief and exquisitely constructed
poem on the theme that in the end righ-
teousness succeeds and unrighteousness fails.
"It is an OT sermon on the happiness of
the man who lives a life wholly consecrated
to God, and the utter destruction awaiting
the man who leaves God out of his life"
(S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Psalm 1), a
topic very prominent in the book of Deu-
teronomy (Deut 30:15-20). The psalm con-
sists of two stanzas set in sharp contrast,
the first vividly likening the good man to
a tree, stable, fruitful, and flourishing, and
the second likening the evil man to the
chaff, unstable and fruitless. Its message
is "Choose you this day whom ye will
serve." Josh. 24:15. God never compels.
He made us free moral agents, to choose
"the way of the righteous."
1. What is the meaning of the first
word of this psalm? Ps. 1:1, first
phrase.
NoTE.—The Hebrew words translated
"Blessed is the man" might well be ren-
dered "Oh, the happiness of the man!"
NOTE.—The psalmist first describes the
way of the godly man in negative terms.
by a process of self-control be says No to
wrong. He wills to avoid contamination
with evil. "Evil communications corrupt
good manners." 1 Cor. 15:33. "Everything
depends on the right action of the will."—
Steps to Christ,
page 47.
"Ungodly" suggests willful violation of
[ 23
God's requirements; "sinners" are those
who fall short of the goal of righteousness
through ignorance or moral weakness;
"scorners" are those who deliberately sin
and find satisfaction in corrupting others.
3.
Wherein does the godly man find
his constant pleasure? Verse 2, first
clause. Compare Jer. 15:16; Col. 3:16.
Non.—Whereas the godly man says
No to wrong, he says Yes to righteous-
ness. "He finds constant pleasure in reflect-
ing on God's law. His study of God's
Word is habitual and regular; it is not irk-
some. The psalmist's personal experience of
delight is expressed in Ps. 119:16, 35, 47;
etc."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
1:2. "We must
know
the law if we are to
perceive its beauty and appreciate its worth,
and the more we know of it, the greater
shall be our joy in it. Many skim the Bible
as a novel, when they should ponder it, and
master it, line by line, like a grammar "—
W. L. Watkinson,
The Preacher's Homileti-
cal Commentary,
"The Psalms," vol. 1, p. 2.
The word "law" is translated from the
Hebrew
torah,
which means instruction
in general; it must not be restricted to the
Ten Commandments. It comprehends God's
will as revealed in His Word.
"The true Christian will never complain
that the yoke of Christ is galling to the
neck. He accounts the service of Jesus as
the truest freedom. The law of God is his
delight."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 120.
4.
On what does the godly man
meditate? Ps. 1:2, second clause. Com-
pare Ps. 119:15, 97, 148; Deut. 6:6-9;
Josh. 1:8; Phil. 4:8.
NoTE.—Moffatt translates this clause,
"poring over it day and night." (The Bible:
A New Translation by James Moffatt.
Copyright by James Moffatt, 1954. Used
by permission of Harper and Row, Pub-
lishers, Inc.) Russell A. Peterson's trans-
lation in Basic English reads: "He dwells
in it both day and night." Preoccupying
the mind with good is one of the God-
given means of meeting and resisting temp-
tation.
"My brethren and sisters, old and young,
when you have an hour of leisure, open the
Bible and store the mind with its precious
truths. When engaged in labor, guard the
mind, keep it stayed upon God, talk less,
and meditate
more."—Testimonies,
vol. 4,
p. 588.
The Effect of Blessedness
5.
To what is the life of the godly
man likened? Ps. 1:3, first clause.
Compare Jer. 17:8.
NoTE.—"Their work being always urgent,
it is difficult for some to secure time for
meditation and prayer; but this they should
not fail to do. The blessing of heaven, ob-
tained by daily supplication, . . . will cause
them to increase in moral and spiritual
strength, like a tree planted by the river of
waters, whose leaf will be always green
and whose fruit will appear in due time."
—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 539.
6.
How carefully is the godly man
nurtured? Ps. 1:3, second clause.
NOTE.—The tree used here by way of il-
lustration is set in a place favorable for
cultivation, where clear, flowing streams
supply an abundance of water. See Ezek.
31:3, 4.
"As the tree is rooted in the solid earth
and draws its moisture from the ever-flow-
ing stream, so the godly man sends his roots
and derives sustenance from the water
springs of salvation. He is steadfast, fixed,
anchored. Thus, though he may be assailed
by trouble and temptation, he stands firm;
and the greater the trial, the deeper the
root, and the stronger his hold on God."—
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 1:3.
"The soul 'rooted' in Christ (q61.
2:7)
is
as the pine, sending down so strong a
tap-
root
that the avalanche may break the
trunk, but cannot uproot
it."—The Pulpit
Commentary,
1950 ed., vol. 8, p. 3.
7.
What is the first blessing result-
ing from the godly man's devotion to
God's Word? Verse 3, third clause.
Compare Gal. 5:22, 23; Heb. 12:11.
[ 24 ]
NOTE.—"We are as trees planted in the
garden of the Lord; and He comes to us
seeking the fruit He has a right to expect."
—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 423.
8.
What is the second blessing? Ps.
1:3, fourth clause. Compare Ps. 92:
12, 13.
NoTE.—Compare Isaiah's contrary ob-
servation regarding the wicked: "Ye shall be
as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden
that hath no water." Isa. 1:30.
9.
What is the third and ultimate
blessing? Ps. 1:3, fifth clause.
NOTE.—"Regardless of the success or fail-
ure of the undertaking, his trust in God
empowers him to draw life from the
eternal Source and ultimately to reach his
goal."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
1:3.
"Sickness, accident, hard times, losses
through the failure or dishonesty of others,
may befall the child of God as well as the
child of the world; but the
natural tendency
of thorough integrity, of, the diligence of
one who does everything with his might
as unto the Lord, and of the wisdom, cour-
age, and good temper which are among the
fruits of the Spirit, and the guidance of
God's providence in answer to prayer, is to
bring prosperity (Ps. 37:4-7; Phil. 4:4-7)."
—The Pulpit Commentary,
vol. 8, p. 4.
The Unhappiness of the Ungodly
Man
10.
To what is the ungodly man's
life likened? Verse 4, first clause.
Compare Job 21:18; Isa. 17:13.
NOTE.—"In the figure of the chaff, the
psalmist shows the result of a life of wick-
edness."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
1:4.
11.
What happened to the chaff of
the psalmist's figure? Ps. 1:4, last
clause.
NOTE.—"In contrast to a tree, the chaff
has no root, no fixed place. Dead, dry,
helpless, it is at the mercy of the elements.
The ungodly are attached to nothing; they
lack stability and cannot endure. In Pales-
tine grain was threshed on a flat, exposed
piece of ground, often on a wind-swept hill.
The precious kernel remained while the chaff
was carried away. Had the psalmist lived in
certain other parts of the world, he might
have employed the figure of the tumble-
weed.. .
"There is a paradox in the use of the
two figures of speech. Outwardly, the tree
appears to be held prisoner; in reality, it is
free, grows, and bears fruit. Outwardly,
the chaff appears to be free; in reality, it is
a slave to environment. The Christian, at-
tached to God, his source of life and
strength, grows and produces fruit; the
chaff, unattached, cut off from its source of
strength, produces nothing. It has a free-
dom not worth possessing. Compare Jesus'
figure of the two houses (Matt. 7:24-27)."
—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 1:4.
12.
What is the ultimate end of un-
godliness? Verse 5.
NOTE.—In this life there must be a sepa-
ration of the righteous from the wicked;
but "this will be especially true ,in the last
judgment when the wicked are separated
from the righteous at the end of their
respective ways (see Matt. 25:31-46)."—
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 1:5.
13.
With what universal lesson
does the psalmist conclude his instruc-
tion? Verse 6.
NoTE.—This is the final reason for the
opposite endings of the two ways open to
every man: "Since God knows, He dis-
criminates, and He approves or condemns
according to the eternal standards."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 1:6.
For Meditation
1.
Do I rightly estimate the value of
positive thinking in my own experience?
Am I learning to preoccupy the mind with
good?
2.
Do I really take delight in dwelling on
the things of God? Do I find my chief
pleasure in God's way?
26
Lesson 8, for May 23, 1964
A Song of Utter Faith
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 46.
MEMORY VERSE:
"The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
Psalm 46:7.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Desire of Ages," chapter 38, pages 359-362; "Education,"
pages 260, 261; "The Ministry of Healing," pages 51-58; "Steps to Christ,"
chapter "Faith and Acceptance;" "Prophets and Kings," pages 201-203; "S.D.A.
Bible Commentary," on Psalm 46.
AIM:
To increase our faith in God's care by deepening our realization that God
actually dwells with His believing child.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-3; learn
memory verse.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-8.
Tuesday: Questions 9, 10; begin
reading study helps.
C7
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read
further from study helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Faith in the Lord of Creation
1.
Our refuge. Ps. 46:1, first part.
2.
Our help. V. 1, second part.
3.
Our trust. Vs. 2, 3.
II. Faith in the Lord of Human History
4.
Our source of happiness. V. 4.
5.
Our stability. V. 5, first and second
parts.
6.
Our immediate help. V. 5, last part.
7.
Our deliverance. V. 6.
8.
Our "Immanuel." V. 7.
III. Faith in the Lord of Eternal Peace
9.
Our champion. V. 8.
10.
Our peace. V. 9.
11.
Our satisfaction. V. 10, first part.
12.
Our Lord's exaltation. V. 10 last
part.
13.
Our "Immanuel." V. 11.
THE LESSON
GC 639). In that fearful hour, when a
mighty earthquake such as never was will
convulse the earth; when the sun, moon,
and stars will be shaken out of their courses;
when the mountains will shake like a reed,
and ragged rocks be scattered on every side;
when the sea will be lashed into fury and
the whole surface of the earth be broken
up; when mountain chains will sink and
islands disappear (Matt. 24:29, 30; Luke
[ 26 ]
Introduction
Psalm 46 has been called "The Song of
Songs of Faith." The psalm is a glorious
hymn on the theme, so appropriate for us
who live in the last days, that in the midst
of earth's calamities and distress God's chil-
dren are secure, for God is with us. As
such it "will bring special comfort to the
people of God in the time of trouble (see
21:25, 26; GC 637; EW 34, 41), the saints
will find protection in God."—S.D.A.
Bible
Commentary,
on Ps. 46:11.
The psalm has three stanzas practically
equal in length, with refrain and Selah
appropriately placed, depicting three scenes
of commotion and encouraging the child of
God to exercise faith in the ever-present
Lord of hosts. A celebrated victory in the
days of Jehoshaphat made it possible for
the Israelites to sing Psalm 46 with under-
standing.
Prophets and Kings,
pages 201-
203.
Faith in the Lord of Creation
1.
Upon what basic truth does the
psalmist's faith rest? Ps. 46:1, first
part.
Nora.—"The order of the words in the
Hebrew places emphasis on the word `God'
—He, nothing else, is our refuge in the face
of calamities of every sort. The state-
ment really reads thus: 'God is for us refuge
and strength,' the important thought being
that God is on our side."—H. C. Leupold,
Exposition of the Psalms,
page 363.
2.
What has God proved to be in
the
face
of calamity? Verse 1, second
part.
NorE.—"If we encounter difficulties, and
in
Christ's strength overcome them; if we
meet enemies, and in Christ's strength put
them to flight; if we accept responsibilities,
and in Christ's strength discharge them
faithfully, we are gaining a precious experi-
ence. We learn, as we could not otherwise
have learned, that our Saviour is a present
help in every time of
need."—Testimonies,
vol.
5, p. 34.
3.
In view of God's reliability, what
should be our attitude in times of ex-
treme physical danger? Verses 2, 3.
NOTE.—"The convulsions of nature, the
earthquake that throws the mountains into
the sea, the roaring of the waves, the cata-
clysm of the tidal wave—these phenomena
as well as any commotions and revolutions
in the political world need not shake the
one who trusts in God. Whatever may
happen, God is a proved refuge."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 46:2.
Selah.
The word here marks the close of
the first stanza; it appears again at the
close of the second and third stanzas (verses
7, 11).
Faith in the Lord of Human History
4.
In what figure does the psalmist
describe the happiness of the faithful?
Verse 4. Compare Ezek. 47:1-5; Joel
3:18; Zech. 14:8; Rev. 22:1.
NOTE.—"Our spiritual life must be daily
revived by the stream that makes glad the
city of our
God."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 27.
5.
What is the reason for the sta-
bility of the faithful? Ps. 46:5, first
and second parts. Compare Isa. 12:6;
Ps. 16:8.
6.
When does God give help to His
trusting children? Ps. 46:5, last part.
Compare Lam. 3:22, 23; Ps. 3:1-6.
NorE.—The Hebrew words translated
"right early" read literally "at the turning
of the morning."
The Christian's first thought on waking
should be that God sustains, even as his
last thought on going to sleep at night
should be one of complete confidence. This
is working faith.
7.
How has God manifested His
power in the tumult of nations? Ps.
46:6.
NOTE.—"The heathen" means "the na-
tions." "The very earth seemed to melt or
dissolve before. Him. Everything became
[ 27 ]
still. The danger passed away at His com-
mand, and the raging world became calm.
The Bible abounds in language of this
kind, showing the absolute power of God,
or His power to control all the raging
elements on land and ocean by a word."—
Albert Barnes,
Notes, Critical, Explanatory,
and Practical, on the Book of Psalms, vol.
2, p. 43. Compare the experience of the dis-
ciples on the stormy Sea of Galilee. Matt.
14:22-33.
8. What reason is again given for
God's people remaining unmoved?
Verse 7. Compare Ps. 23:4.
NOTE.—"The Lord of Hosts." "The name
first occurs in the mouth of Hannah, 1 Sam.
1:11, and is applied to God as the Great
King whom all created powers, the armies
both in heaven and in earth, obey. To this
name the psalmist immediately subjoins an-
other, 'the God of Jacob,' the covenant
God of His people. Thus we are reminded
. . . of the double prop on which our faith
rests: the infinite power whereby He can
subdue the universe unto Himself, and the
fatherly love which He has revealed in His
Word. Where these two are joined to-
gether, our faith may trample on all ene-
mies."—J. J. Stewart Perowne,
The Book
of Psalms,
1864 ed., vol. 1, p. 227.
The idea "The Lord of hosts is with
us" is epitomized in the name Immanuel,
"God with us" (Isa. 7:14; 8:8, 10).
This verse, sounding the keynote of the
psalm, is the refrain to the second and third
stanzas. See verse 11. It would not seem
inappropriate to insert it also at the close
of the first stanza, after verse 3.
"Comforted by this verse, John Wesley
courageously met the approach of death.
He quoted it the night before his decease,
and was heard repeating its promise all
through the night hours.
"Our strength lies not in self, nor in al-
liance with worldly power, but in God.
Calvin said: 'That the faithful might learn
that, without any aid from the world, the
grace of God alone was sufficient for them.
. . . Therefore, though the help of God
may but trickle to us in slender streams,
we should enjoy a deeper tranquillity than
if all the power of the the world were
heaped up all at once for our help."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 46:7.
Faith in the Lord of Eternal Peace
9.
What testimony to God's power
does the psalmist bear? Ps. 46:8.
10.
What else is accomplished by
God's power? Verse 9.
NorE.—Here is a picture of complete
victory. The field of battle is strewn with
broken weapons and burned vehicles.
11.
What advice does God give to
those who are in the midst of tumult
and castrophe? Verse 10, first part.
Compare 2 Chron. 20:17.
NOTE.—"The first clause of this verse has
been paraphrased: 'Hush! Cease your tu-
mult and realize that I am God.' We talk
too much and listen too little. We lack
Christian poise and steadiness, because of
our ceaseless busyness. Moses spent forty
years in the land of Midian (Acts 7:29, 30),
Paul three years in the desert (Gal. 1:17,
18; AA 125-128), and Jesus forty days in
the wilderness (Matt. 4:1, 2), in preparation
for the responsibilities of the divine call."
—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 46:10.
"When every other voice is hushed, and
in quietness we wait before Him, the si-
lence of the soul makes more distinct the
voice of God. He bids us, 'Be still, and
know that I am God.' Ps. 46:10. Here
alone can true rest be found. And this is
the effectual preparation for all who labor
for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and
the strain of life's intense activities, the soul
that is thus refreshed will be surrounded
with an atmosphere of light and peace. The
life will breathe out fragrance, and will
reveal a divine power that will reach men's
hearts."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 363.
12.
What else will be known by
those who heed the advice to "be
still"? Ps. 46:10, last part.
28 1,
13. With what emphatic reasser-
tion does the psalmist close this psalm
of faith? Verse 11.
shall the Christian wait."—Samuel Terrien,
The Psalms and Their Meaning for Today,
page 76.
For Meditation
NoTE.—The idea that God is with us—
"Immanuel"—is very precious. However,
"the church militant should not play with
the illusion of having 'God in the midst of
her.'
Immanuel
is a motto of condemnation
as well as of confidence. The psalmist
waited for the day of the Lord. So also
1.
What can the realization of the meaning
of "Immanuel" do for me in the common
affairs of daily living?
2.
How can I learn to hear God's voice
above the noise and confusion of the 1960's?
3.
What is the basis of a faith that de-
livers?
Lesson 9, for May 30, 1964
The Law of God
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119.
MEMORY VERSE: "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of
the Lord." Psalm 119:1.
STUDY HELPS: "Steps to Christ," chapters, "The Test of Discipleship," "A Knowl-
edge of God;" "Education," pages 123-127; "Counsels to Parents, Teachers,
and Students," pages 421-430; "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 287-290.
AIM: To awaken within us a fresh appreciation of the Word of God and the bless-
ings that attend those who study and obey it.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
learn memory verse.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-6.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 7-9; begin read-
ing study helps.
❑
Check
Here
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. God's Revelation to Man
1.
The theme of the psalm. Ps. 119:1.
2.
Man's state without God's revela-
tion. V. 176.
3.
Steps in Bible study. Vs. 30-32.
1297
Characteristics of God's Revelation
4.
Some attributes of God's Word.
Vs. 39, 86, 96, 138, 140, 160.
5.
The worth of God's Word. V. 103.
6.
The eternity of the Word. Vs. 89,
142, 152, 160.
III. Our Relationship to God's
Revelation
7.
Our attitude toward the Bible.
14, 16, 24, 35, 47.
8.
Our devotion to Bible study.
10, 34, 69.
9.
Our
constancy in Bible study.
55, 97, 147, 148.
Vs.
Vs.
Vs.
IV. Results of a Knowledge of God's
Revelation
10.
The results of study and obedience.
Vs. 9, 11, 130.
11.
Liberty in obedience. V. 45.
12.
Communicating God's Word. Vs.
13, 27, 42, 46, 164, 171.
THE LESSON
NoTE.—The psalm begins—like Psalm 1—
by pronouncing a blessing upon those who
obey the instruction found in God's Word.
This verse is really the text upon which
the rest of the psalm is built. It summa-
rizes the teaching of the psalm.
Introduction
Psalm 119 is a lengthy meditation on the
law of God. The Hebrew word commonly
translated "law" is
torah,
which means
basically "instruction" or "precept" and in
general signifies the written revelation of
God's will. While including the Ten Com-
mandments in its scope, the application of
Psalm 119 should by no means be restricted
to the Decalogue. It may be considered to
concern the whole of God's revealed Word
—the Bible.
In the Hebrew, this psalm is in the form
of an acrostic or alphabetic poem, consist-
ing of twenty-two sections of eight verses
each, marked by the regular succession of
the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alpha-
bet. In the King James Version only a
part of the acrostic form shows. In the
Hebrew, each verse in the first section be-
gins with
aleph,
the first letter of the He-
brew alphabet; each verse in the second
section begins with
beth,
the second letter
of the Hebrew alphabet; and so on. If this
feature were represented in English, all eight
verses of the first section would begin with
the letter A; all eight verses of the second
section would begin with B ; and so on.
For the Hebrews, the psalm probably served
as a sort of ABC book, making it easy to
memorize and recall the truths contained
in it.
Each of the 176 verses of the psalm (ex-
cept verse 122), contains a word or words
denoting God's revelation, His instruction,
His law for His children; but monotony is
avoided by the use of a variety of syno-
nyms: law, testimonies, commandments,
precepts, statutes, judgments, word, etc.
God's Revelation to Man
1. What is the theme of Psalm 119?
Ps. 119:1.
2.
Recognizing his straying condi-
tion, on what does the psalmist base
his plea for help? Verse 176. Com-
pare Isa. 53:6; Matt. 18:12-14.
NOTE.—"When a sheep strays from the
fold it seldom finds its way back without
help. Like all the rest of us, the psalmist
had wandered into forbidden paths, but
the Lord sought him and brought him home
again. . . . The good shepherd does not
return from his search empty-handed. The
way may be long and arduous, the path
rough and thorny, but the shepherd per-
severes and does not give up until he finds
his lost sheep (Matt. 18:12-14; Luke 15:
4-7)."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
119:176.
"The souls in
China are no more
precious than the
souls within the
shadow of our
doors."—
Chris-
tian Service,
page
199.
30
3.
What three successive steps
should the Christian take as a result of
studying God's revelation? Ps. 119:
30-32.
NoTE.—Choosing the right way, deter-
mining to continue steadfast in that way,
moving actively toward the kingdom—these
steps may be taken by everyone who opens
God's Word with a sincere desire to obey.
They are the opposite of the successive
steps in a life of evil described in Ps. 1:1.
Characteristics of God's Revelation
4.
What are some of the chief char-
acteristics of God's revelation? Verses
39, 86, 96, 138, 140, 160. Compare
Ps. 19:7-10.
NOTE.—What a galaxy of descriptive
words the psalmist marshals to delineate
the worth of God's Word: good, faithful,
broad, right, righteous, pure, true.
God's Word is exceedingly broad; while
all other things are bounded by a narrow
compass, His Word has no limits. It is a
transcript of His character. Its truths will
challenge our comprehension throughout
eternity.
5.
How does the psalmist express
the worth of God's Word? Ps. 119:
103. Compare vs. 72, 127.
NOTE.—"The psalmist's words, 'The law
of Thy mouth is better unto me than thou-
sands of gold and silver' (Psalm 119:72),
state that which is true from other than a
religious point of view. . . . Even in this
age of passion for money getting, when
competition is so sharp and methods are so
unscrupulous, it is still widely acknowledged
that, for a young man starting in life, in-
tegrity, diligence, temperance, purity, and
thrift constitute a better capital than any
amount of mere
money."—Education,
page
137.
6.
How long will the principles of
God's Word last? Verses 89, 142, 152,
160. Compare Matt. 24:35.
NOTE.—"Those principles that were made
known to man in Paradise as the great law
of life will exist unchanged in Paradise re-
stored. When Eden shall bloom on earth
again, God's law of love will be obeyed by
all beneath the
sun."—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
pages 50, 51.
Our Relationship to God's
Revelation
7.
What was the psalmist's attitude
toward God's revelation? Ps. 119:14,
16, 24, 35, 47. Compare Ps. 1:2, first
part.
NoTE.—"Delight naturally follows medi-
tation, being the outcome or fruit of it.
The law ceases to be a burden and becomes
the source of greatest joy and delight. Those
who live in harmony with heaven thrill
with pleasure as the sacred pages of the
Word of God are read."—S.D.A.
Bible
Commentary,
on Ps. 119:16.
8.
How complete was the psalmist's
devotion and dedication to the study
of what God had revealed? Ps. 119:
10, 34, 69.
NoTE.—"There must not be a divided
heart in the Lord's service (see Deut. 6:5;
Matt. 6:24; 12:30; Luke 16:13)."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 119:2.
9.
How constantly did the psalmist
direct his attention to God's revela-
tion? Verses 55, 97, 147, 148. Com-
pare Deut. 6:6-9; Ps. 1:2, second part.
NOTE.—In verses 147, 148 the word "pre-
vent" means "precede." Before daybreak the
[ 31 1
psalmist could be found studying, and dur-
ing wakeful seasons of the night he medi-
tated upon God's Word.
Results of a Knowledge of God's
Revelation
10.
What are some of the results of
studying and obeying God's Word?
Ps. 119:9, 11, 130.
NoTE.--Cleansing from sin, power to keep
from sinning, wisdom, understanding,
peace—these are some of the gifts with
which God honors those who study and
obey His Word.
"The mind must constantly feed upon
the Word, else the defenses of soul will
break down, and Satan will gain the ad-
vantage. A neglect to study and to medi-
tate upon the Word for even one day re-
sults in serious
loss."—S.D.A. Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ps. 119:9.
11.
What kind of life does the one
enjoy who seeks to walk in the way
of God's commandments? Verse 45.
Compare James 1:25; 2:12.
NOTE.—"The motto, 'Obedience to law is
liberty,' is frequently seen on courtroom
walls, and is a worthy motto for every
Christian to remember. When, by the grace
of God, a man accepts the Saviour's yoke
(Matt. 11:28-30), he sees the law as being
clearly in accord with his highest interests
and conducive to his highest happiness. . .
He then looks upon the will of God as
liberty, and upon sin as bondage. . .. When
we acknowledge the defects of character it
[the law] points out to us, and turn to
Christ to remedy them, we find that the
law has pointed the way to true liberty,
for the highest liberty is freedom from sin."
—S.D .A. Bible Commentary,
on James 1:25.
"Sin can triumph only by enfeebling the
mind, and destroying the liberty of the
soul. Subjection to God is restoration to
one's self,—to the true glory and dignity of
man. The divine law, to which we are
brought into subjection, is 'the law of lib-
erty.' James
2:12."—The Desire of Ages,
page 466.
"The youth have an inborn love of lib-
erty; they desire freedom; and they need
to understand that these inestimable bless-
ings are to be enjoyed only in obedience to
the law of God. This law is the preserver
of true freedom and liberty. It points out
and prohibits those things that degrade and
enslave, and thus to the obedient it affords
protection from the power of
evil."—Edu-
cation,
page 291.
"If the OT idea of instruction is applied
to 'law' throughout the Bible, it takes away
from 'law' the sense of blind compulsion
and turns the commandments of God into
guideposts on the road of life, warning
against dangerous detours into paths of
sin."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Prov.
3:1.
12.
As a result of a knowledge of
God's instruction, what was found on
the psalmist's lips? Ps. 119:13, 27, 42,
46, 164, 171.
NoTE.—"Every faithful disciple will tell
others of his great joy in the Word of God
and will invite them to share in this blessed
experience."—S.D
A. Bible Commentary,
on
Ps. 119:13.
For Meditation
1.
What does it mean to hide God's Word
in one's heart? What will be the result of
such a habit?
2.
How does subjection to God's will re-
store man's true glory and dignity?
3.
If I do not find delight in Bible study,
what is wrong? Rom. 8:7. How may I
remedy the situation? Verses 13, 14.
"The Sabbath school should
be one of the greatest instru-
mentalities, and the most ef-
fectual, in bringing souls to
Christ."—Counsels on Sab-
bath School Work,
page 10.
(
32]
Lesson 10, for June 6, 1964
Man's Brevity, God's Eternity
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 90.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish
Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish
Thou it." Psalm 90:17.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Desire of Ages," pages 72-74; "Steps to Christ," chapter "The
Work and the Life;" "S.D.A. Bible Commentary," on Psalm 90.
AIM:
To realize that satisfaction and joy in our daily life must come from our
conception of the right relation between man in his changeableness and the
eternal God.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
learn memory verse.
❑
Sunday:
Questions 1-4.
❑
Monday: Questions 5-8.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 9-13.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Begin reading study
helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. God, Man's Dwelling Place
1.
Man's continual refuge. Ps. 90:1.
2.
God's eternal existence. V. 2.
3.
God's timelessness. Vs. 3, 4.
4.
Man's transitory nature. Vs. 5, 6.
II. Sin—The Reason for Man's
Changeableness
5.
God's displeasure. Vs. 7, 11.
6.
God's all-seeing eye. V. 8.
7.
Man's short life. Vs. 9, 10.
8.
Meditation on life's brevity. V. 12.
III. Prayer for Redemption
9.
For renewal of God's compassion.
V. 13.
10.
For gladness in God's mercy. Vs.
14, 15.
11.
For recognition of God's provi-
dences. V. 16.
12.
For a reflection of the beauty of
God's character. V. 17, first clause.
13.
For God's blessing upon man's
work. V. 17, second and third
clauses.
THE LESSON
dwelling place in Him. Psalm 90 is perhaps
the most sublime poem ever written on the
brevity and vanity of human existence in
the light of the psalmist's deep confidence
in God's eternal watchcare. "Ruggedness of
style, 'the stamp of high antiquity,' vast-
ness of theme, frequent identity with the
language of Deuteronomy—these elements
[ 33
Introduction
We are continually confronted with a
realization of human frailty and the expec-
tation of death. The swift passing of our
earthly days would make life meaningless
and empty if it were not for the fact that
our Creator is eternal and we find our
help to support the view that Moses was the
author of Psalm
90."—S.D.A. Bible Com-
mentary,
on Psalm 90.
God, Man's Dwelling Place
1.
What has God been to His peo-
ple throughout the generations of hu-
man history? Ps. 90:1. Compare Ps.
91:9.
NoTE.—The expression "dwelling place"
combines the ideas of home and refuge; it
is both a quiet abiding place and a refuge
from danger. The Christian not only looks
forward to a city that hath foundations
(Heb. 11:10) ; he has the assurance that
God is
now
his home.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!
—Isaac Watts.
2.
How does the psalmist describe
the eternity of God? Ps. 90:2.
NoTE.—Perhaps in all the Bible there is
no more sublime expression of the eternity
of God. As the "Ancient of Days" (Dan.
7:9), He
was
before time began and
will be
after time shall cease. "The man who rec-
ognizes the eternity of God and regards
his own life as related to the Eternal, has a
powerful stimulus to dignified, worthy liv-
ing."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
90:2.
3.
How is God's timelessness il-
lustrated? Verses 3, 4.
4.
In what succession of figures
does the psalmist describe man's tran-
sitory nature? Verses 5, 6.
NoTE.—"In the East, one night's rain
works a change as if by magic. The field at
evening was brown, parched, arid as a
desert; in the morning it is green with the
blades of grass. The scorching hot wind
(James 1:11) blows upon it, and again be-
fore evening it is withered."—J. J. Stewart
Perowne,
The Book of Psalms,
1868 ed.,
vol. 2, p. 141.
Sin—The Reason for Man's
Changeableness
5.
How is God's attitude toward
sin represented? Verses 7, 11.
NOTE.—"The shortness of human life and
the troubles which fill it are the effect of sin
which kindles God's anger, as proved by the
experience of the people of Israel."—A.
Cohen,
The Psalms
(Soncino edition), page
298.
6.
What has been set in the light
of God's countenance? Verse 8.
NOTE.—"Secret sins.
The sins of the
heart, which we have tried to hide from
the eyes of men; or perhaps the sin that we
have forgotten."—S.D.A.
Bible Commen-
tary,
on Ps. 90:8.
7.
How does the psalmist further
illustrate man's short life? Verses
9, 10.
8.
With what brief meditation does
the psalmist close his consideration of
God's eternity and man's transitori-
ness? Verse 12.
NOTE.—"This aspect of the subject is
brought to a very practical conclusion by
reducing the issue to a brief prayer to the
effect that God may help us so to take note
of the brevity of human life and of the
few days that are ours that we may con-
sider what the deep causes are and so get
a 'wise heart.' According to this statement
1
34]
"If you fail ninety-nine times
in a hundred, but succeed in
saving the one soul from
ruin, you have done a noble
deed for the Master's cause."
—
Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 132.
wisdom seems to consist in a full aware-
ness of what is wrong with mankind and
a full retreat to God as the only dwelling
in this stormy existence where man can be
safe."—H. C. Leupold,
Exposition of the
Psalms,
page 647.
Prayer for Redemption
9.
How does the psalmist begin his
final prayer? Verse 13.
Nom.—"God's repentance is not like
man's repentance. 'The Strength of Israel
will not lie nor repent: for He is not a
man, that He should repent.' Man's re-
pentance implies a change of mind. God's re-
pentance implies a change of circumstances
and relations. Man may change his rela-
tion to God by complying with the con-
ditions upon which he may be brought into
the divine favor, or he may, by his own
action, place himself outside the favoring
condition; but the Lord is the same 'yester-
day, and today, and forever.' Hebrews 13:
8. Saul's disobedience changed his relation
to God; but the conditions of acceptance
with God were unaltered—God's require-
ments were still the same, for with Him
there 'is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.' "—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
630.
10.
For what evidence of God's love
does he plead? Verses 14, 15.
NOTE.—To experience God's mercy, His
loving-kindness, is reason for rejoicing. "The
psalmist prays that after a night of sorrow
and suffering, God will give a morning of
joy and peace."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 90:14.
"That new happiness, which consists in
the certainty of being loved by God, is also
thought of as the only factor that can out-
weigh or counterbalance the days of afflic-
tion or the years wherein evil has been the
order of the day."—H. C. Leupold,
Ex-
position of the Psalms,
page 648.
11.
For what spiritual insight does
the psalmist pray? Verse 16.
NOTE.—The Christian needs to be condi-
tioned from childhood to becoming aware
of God's continuous, uninterrupted acts of
mercy, or His providential acts, in His deal-
ings with His people as individuals as well
as a church. With David he should cry out
with rejoicing, "Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life: and
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for-
ever." Ps. 23:6.
12.
For what experience does the
psalmist pray? Verse 17, first clause.
Nom—Here begins the glorious climax
of the psalm.
The word translated "beauty" means
"kindness," "favor;" it is apparently a
synonym- for "steadfast love." "When we
see the loveliness of the character of God,
we are 'transfigured by His grace' (see Ed
80; MB 95), and 'the beauty of the Lord
our God' is 'upon us.'
"—S.D.A. Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ps. 90:17.
"The last lingering traces of the curse of
sin will be removed, and Christ's faithful
ones will appear in 'the beauty of the Lord
our God,' in mind and soul and body re-
flecting the perfect image of their Lord."—
The Great Controversy,
page 645.
13.
With what practical desire does
the prayer close? Verse 17, second
and third clauses.
NoTE.—"The work of our hands" means
simply our everyday tasks. The profes-
sional and vocational duties by which we
[ 35 ]
earn our livelihood, the common, ordinary
tasks of the home, the farm, the shop,
humdrum though they may seem, should
be performed with a sincerity, devotion,
and perfection that will merit God's ap-
proval. Let us not belittle life's common-
places. Though life is transitory, what-
ever our hands find to do we should do
with our might. Eccl. 9:10. God's plan al-
lows for nothing cheap or shoddy in the
Christian's work.
For Meditation
1.
Am I increasingly aware of God's
providences in my daily activities?
2.
What can the realization that "Thou
God seest me" do for my Christian experi-
ence?
3.
Are my ordinary daily tasks and my
professional or vocational duties performed
so carefully that I may ask God's seal of
approval upon them?
Lesson 11, for June 13, 1964
From Doubt to Triumphant Faith
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Psalm 73.
MEMORY VERSE:
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust
in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy works." Ps. 73:28.
STUDY HELPS:
"Steps to Christ," chapter, "What to Do With Doubt;" "Testimonies,"
vol. 1, pp. 408, 409; vol. 5, pp. 547-549; vol. 6, pp. 367, 368; "S.D.A. Bible
Commentary," on Psalm 73; selected psalms on the problem: Psalms 37;
49; 94.
AIM:
To help us understand that, although the wicked appear to prosper and the
righteous are persecuted, those who serve God will ultimately find satisfaction
in the presence of God.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1, 2; learn
memory verse.
❑
Monday: Questions 3-6.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 7-9; begin read-
ing study helps.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 10-14; read
further from study helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. An Introductory Statement
1.
The surety of God's goodness. Ps.
73:1.
2.
The psalmist's previous doubt. V. 2.
II. The Apparent Prosperity of the
Wicked
3. The reason for doubt. V. 3.
4.
Description of the prosperity of the
wicked. Vs. 4-9.
5.
Influence of the wicked on others.
Vs. 10, 11.
6.
The psalmist's honest reflection.
Vs. 12-14.
III. The Solution of the Problem
7. The place of the solution. Vs. 15-17.
[361
8.
The real outcome of the -wicked.
Vs. 18-20.
9.
The reason for the psalmist's doubt.
Vs. 21, 22.
10.
The psalmist's recognition of God's
presence. Vs. 23, 24, first part.
11.
The ultimate solution and realiza-
tion. Vs. 24 (second part), 25, 26.
IV. The Conclusion
12.
The ultimate end of the wicked.
V. 27.
13.
The psalmist's personal conclusion.
V. 28, first part.
14.
The psalmist's resolution. V. 28,
second part.
THE LESSON
2. What had been the psalmist's
state of mind prior to his reaching the
conclusion of verse 1? Verse 2.
Introduction
Psalm 73 undertakes to solve a problem
that perplexes every one of us who observes
that apparently in this life bad men prosper
and good men are persecuted. The psalm
begins with what is really the psalmist's
conclusion, that God is good to His chil-
dren, and then proceeds to show how the
psalmist reached this conclusion, the poem
being about equally divided between con-
sideration of the problem and its solution.
The psalmist had almost given up his faith
in God. His own attempts to solve the
problem ended in frustration and futility,
until, in quiet communion with God, he
found the ultimate answer. The psalm closes
with a confession of God's goodness and a
solemn vow to declare to others His won-
derful works of love. The psalm teaches
that God rewards our honest search for
an answer to the problem with His gift of
triumphant faith. "Truly God is good to
Israel."
An Introductory Statement
1. With what basic truth does this
psalm begin? Ps. 73:1.
NOTE.—The rest of the psalm explains
how David arrived at this conclusion. Not-
withstanding all the difficulties recited in
the psalm, it is fundamentally true that
God is "the friend of His people—the friend
of righteousness."—Albert Barnes,
Notes on
the Book of Psalms,
vol. 2, p. 253.
Yet, in the maddening maze of things,
And tossed by storm and flood,
To one fixed trust my spirit clings;
I know that God is good!
—Whittier, "The Eternal Goodness."
NOTE.—"The phrase [But as for me]
concentrates our attention upon the psalm-
ist and the experiences through which he
passed in arriving at the solution of the
problem of the psalm: Why do bad men
prosper, and good men suffer
?"—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 73:2.
The psalmist had almost lost his faith;
he was on the verge of slipping into the
pit of skepticism.
The Apparent Prosperity of the
Wicked
3.
What observation had caused the
psalmist to doubt God's goodness?
Verse 3.
4.
In what various ways is the ap-
parent prosperity of the wicked de-
scribed? Verses 4-9.
NOTE.—"Many seek to make a heaven
for themselves by obtaining riches and
power. They 'speak wickedly concerning
oppression: they speak loftily' (Psalm 73:
8), trampling upon human rights and dis-
regarding divine authority. The proud may
be for a time in great power, and may see
success in all that they undertake; but in
the end they will find only disappointment
and wretchedness."—Patriarchs
and Proph-
ets,
page 124.
37
5.
What further indication of the
apparent success of the wicked is
given? Verses 10, 11.
NoTE.—"The meaning is, that His peo-
ple, as they return again and again to this
subject (v. 10), are constrained to put this
question. They are compelled by these facts
to start such painful inquiries about God;
and distressing as the inquiries are, and as
are the doubts which they involve, these
thoughts
will
pass through their mind, even
though to avoid giving needless pain to
those who have no such perplexities and
difficulties they keep these thoughts to
themselves, v. 15."—Albert Barnes,
Notes
on the Book of Psalms, vol.
2, p. 256.
"But there is a line beyond which they
[the wicked] cannot pass. The time is near
when they will have reached the prescribed
limit. Even now they have almost exceeded
the bounds of the long-suffering of God, the
limits of His grace, the limits of His mercy.
The Lord will interpose to vindicate His
own honor, to deliver His people, and to
repress the swellings of unrighteousness."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 177, 178.
6.
How does the psalmist contrast
the suffering of his own experience
with the apparent success of the
wicked? Verses 12-14.
NoTE.—"From age to age the Lord has
made known the manner of His working.
When a crisis has come, He has revealed
Himself, and has interposed to hinder the
working out of Satan's plans. With nations,
with families, and with individuals, He has
often permitted matters to come to a crisis,
that His interference might become marked.
Then He has made manifest that there is
a God in Israel who will maintain His law
and vindicate His
people."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 178.
The Solution of the Problem
7.
Where did the psalmist find the
solution to his problem? Verses 15-17.
NoTE.—While communing with his Lord
in the sanctuary, the psalmist better under-
stood the end of the wicked. Wrote Ellen
G. White:
"God permits the wicked to prosper and
to reveal their enmity against Him, that
when they shall have filled up the measure
of their iniquity all may see His justice
and mercy in their utter destruction. The
day of His vengeance hastens, when all
who have transgressed His law and op-
pressed His people will meet the just rec-
ompense of their deeds; when every act
of cruelty or injustice toward God's faith-
ful ones will be punished as though done
to Christ Himself."—The
Great Contro-
versy,
page 48.
8.
What is the true condition of
the wicked? Verses 18-20.
NOTE.—"That which restores the psalm-
ist's faith is his recognition of the end of
the wicked in this world, of their downfall
in the midst of their prosperity. Loss of
perspective had kept the psalmist from
seeing the retribution that often came upon
the wicked, until he went into the sanc-
tuary and cast himself wholly upon God.
He had forgotten that Sodom and Gomor-
rah were destroyed by fire from heaven;
that Pharaoh's land was ruined by the
plagues and his armies were drowned in
the sea."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on
Ps. 73:18.
9.
In what frame of mind had the
psalmist attempted to solve his prob-
lem? Verses 21, 22.
NoTE.—The Hebrew for "was grieved"
might well be. translated "grew sour, be-
came embittered." The psalmist, brooding
over his own trials, acted like "a beast,"
controlled by his emotions and not by his
reason. He tried to solve the problem in
a sour frame of mind, judging by super-
ficial appearances and not by eternal values.
10.
What personal recognition here
and now comforts the psalmist as he
solves the problem of the psalm?
Verses 23, 24, first
part.
[ 38 ]
NOTE.—The sublimity and beauty of
these verses in thought and expression can-
not be overemphasized. "They lift us above
the world, above doubts, and fears, and
perplexities, into a higher and holier atmos-
phere: we breathe the air of heaven. The
man who can truly use these words is not
one who has 'crushed free thought,' but one
who has seen all his doubts swallowed up
in the full light of God's love. 'Though all
else in heaven and earth should fail, the
one true everlasting Friend abides.'"—J. J.
Stewart Perowne,
The Book of Psalms,
1868 ed., vol. 2, p. 10.
It should be noted that this portion of
the psalm stresses personal communion with
God. " 'Enoch walked with God' (Gen. 5:
24) is more than a picturesque figure of
speech. 'Walking with God' is a compre-
hensive expression that describes the funda-
mentals and the summits of religion."—
Samuel Terrien,
The Psalms and Their
Meaning for Today,
page 30.
11.
What ultimate experience is
recognized as the final solution to the
problem, and what triumphant reali-
zation does the psalmist express?
Verses 24 (second part), 25, 26.
NOTE.—"Like Enoch of the distant ages,
of whom it had been written that he
`walked with God, and he was not, for God
received
him' (Gen. 5:24), the author of
Psalm 73 is certain that his communion
with the Lord of life shall last forever."—
Samuel Terrien,
The Psalms and Their
Meaning for Today,
page 259.
The Conclusion
12.
How does the psalmist again
describe the ultimate end of the
wicked? Verse 27.
NoTE.—The Revised Standard Version
reads: "For lo, those who are far from
Thee shall perish; Thou dost put an end to
those who are false to Thee."
"Grant that I may
not criticize my
neighbor until I
have walked a
mile in his moc-
casins."—Indian
prayer.
13.
To what positive personal con-
clusion does the psalmist come? Verse
28, first part.
NOTE.—"When we draw nigh to God He
draws nigh to us (see James 4:8). There
is a beautiful reciprocal relationship be-
tween man and God: the closer we draw
to Him, the more fully He is able to reveal
Himself."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on
Ps. 73:28.
14.
With what solemn resolution
does the psalm close? Verse 28, sec-
ond part.
NOTE.—"The psalmist recognizes his re-
sponsibility to tell others how he has passed
from doubt to confidence, how he has
solved in the Lord Jehovah the problem
that is the theme of the psalm. The psalm
closes with this solemn
vow."—S.D.A. Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Ps. 73:28.
For Meditation
1.
How can I keep from losing my per-
spective and exaggerating the prosperity of
the wicked?
2.
Am I learning to refrain from hurting
others by remaining silent when doubt
overwhelms, and going to God for the
final solution of life's problems?
3.
Do I vow with the psalmist to de-
clare my faith in God and testify to His
goodness by word and act every day of my
life?
[ 39 ]
Lesson 12, for June 20, 1964
Thanksgiving for God's Loving-Kindness
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 103.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Bless the Lord,
0
my soul: and all that is within me, bless His
holy name. Bless the Lord,
0
my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Ps.
103:1, 2.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Ministry of Healing," pages
111-124;
"Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing," pages 113-116 (1943 ed., pp.
166-169);
"Steps to Christ,"
chapter "Rejoicing in the Lord;" "Testimonies," vol. 5, pp. 315-319; Deuter-
onomy 4 to 10; 27 to 31.
AIM:
To impress us with God's infinite loving-kindness and to encourage us to
express gratitude for His goodness.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1, 2; learn
memory verse.
Monday: Questions 3-7.
Tuesday: Questions 8, 9; begin
reading study helps.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
Thursday: Finish reading study
helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Introduction
Psalm 103 is perhaps the best known of
the psalms of thanksgiving. It is the out-
pouring of a full heart in praise to God for
His infinite loving-kindness. In this psalm,
David praises God for the blessings which
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Praise to God for Personal Blessings
1.
The inclusiveness of praise. Ps.
103:1, 2.
2.
The extent of blessings. Vs. 3-5.
II. Revelation of God's Loving-Kindness
3.
His justice. V. 6
4.
His dealings with Israel.
V. 7.
5.
His character. Vs. 8, 9.
6.
His forgiveness. Vs. 10-12.
7.
His compassion. Vs. 13, 14.
III. Man's Dependence Upon God's
Mercy
8.
Man's frailty. Vs. 15, 16.
9.
God's eternal mercy. Vs. 17, 18.
IV. Universal Invitation to Worship
God
10.
God's universal reign. V. 19.
11.
Invitation to angels. Vs. 20, 21.
12.
Invitation to the whole creation.
V. 22, first clause.
13. Final personal invitation. V. 22,
second clause.
THE LESSON
he has experienced, and for the blessings
which God has heaped upon His people, and
invites God's creation to join him in a
paean of universal praise. The hymn may
be considered as a celebration of God's
revelation of Himself to Moses: "The Lord,
The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-
1
40]
suffering, and abundant in goodness and
truth." Ex. 34:6. In this age of distraction
from things spiritual, it is a challenge to be-
lievers to "forget not all His benefits."
Praise to God for Personal
Blessings
1.
How inclusive is the psalmist's
exhortation to praise God? Ps. 103:
1, 2.
NorE.—"When a man blesses God, it
means that he acknowledges God as the
dispenser of salutary gifts. In the OT men
are frequently said to bless God (see Ps.
63:4; 103:1, 2, 20-22; 145:2; etc)."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 63:4.
When the psalmist bids his soul to bless
God, he recognizes that his personality is
distinct and different from that of every
other individual in the world, and com-
mands his own self to acknowledge in his
own way the goodness of God. Worship is
thus ultimately an individual matter.
"All that is within me.
Nothing less than
the use of all our faculties is sufficient to
praise the Lord."—Ibid., on Ps. 103:1.
The Psalmist warns himself not to for-
get God's benefits. See Deut. 4:9, 23; 6:12;
8:11, 14. "We have nothing to fear for the
future, except as we shall forget the way
the Lord has led us, and His teaching in
our past history."—Life
Sketches,
page 196.
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!
—Kipling,"Recessional."
Forgetfulness is the secret spring of our
ingratitude.
2.
How extensive are God's bless-
ings? Verses 3-5.
NOTE.—God forgives, heals, redeems,
crowns, satisfies, renews. Surely a recogni-
tion of such generosity on God's part
should impel His children to praise Him
with all their faculties.
"Loving-kindness" covers the full scope
of God's beneficent attitudes, relationships,
and dealings with respect to men. Its New
Testament equivalent is "love" as the ulti-
mate designation of divine goodness toward
men.
In using the figure "like the eagle's,"
"perhaps the psalmist has in mind the fact
that the eagle lives longer than many other
birds and keeps its vigor. The forgiven sin-
ner shows the freshness of renewed youth."
—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 103:5.
In confinement an eagle has been known
to live upwards of a hundred years.
Revelation of God's
Loving-Kindness
3.
How is God's love shown in His
dealings with the oppressed? Verse 6.
NorE.—In the Hebrew the word trans-
lated "righteousness" is plural; it may here
be considered as meaning "acts of salva-
tion," which are the result of God's righ-
teousness. Likewise the word translated
"judgment" is plural, meaning "judgments."
It is translated "justice" in the Revised
Standard Version.
4.
How had God revealed Himself
to Israel? Verse 7.
NOTE.—"God's ways are 'past finding
out' (Rom. 11:33). They must be 'made
known,' sometimes by divine revelation, as
at Sinai (Ex.
20)."—S.D.A. Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ps. 103:7. When Moses asked
God to show His ways, God revealed the
attributes which characterize His dealings
with men. See Ex. 33:13-23.
5.
What phases of God's character
are especially emphasized? Verses 8,
9. Compare Ex. 34:6; Isa. 57:16.
NorE.—As a just God, He cannot over-
look sin, but as a merciful God, He is
sparing in His punishment.
6.
What is the extent of God's for-
giveness? Ps. 103:10-12. Compare Isa.
38:17; Micah 7:19.
[ 41 ]
NOTE.—The distance between heaven and
earth is immeasurable. God's love is like
Himself, infinite; it cannot be measured.
Compare Eph. 3:17-19.
7.
What is the basis of God's com-
passion? Ps. 103: 13, 14. Compare
Deut. 32:6.
NOTE.—"Our frame" may mean "our for-
mation," the manner in which we were
formed. See Gen. 2:7. "Man's frailty and
transitoriness are strong appeals to God's
loving-kindness (see Gen. 8:21 ; Ps. 89:5;
139:1-18)."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on
Ps. 103:14.
"Fathers and mothers and teachers need
to appreciate more fully the responsibility
and honor that God has placed upon them,
in making them, to the child, the representa-
tives of Himself. The character revealed in
the contact of daily life will interpret to the
child, for good or for evil, those words of
God: 'Like as a father pitieth his children,
so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.' "
—Education,
pages 244, 245.
Man's Dependence Upon God's
Mercy
8.
To what is man in his frailty
compared? Ps. 103: 15, 16. Compare
Ps. 90: 5; Isa. 40:6-8.
NOTE.—"The burning sirocco, the wind of
the desert, . . . blows upon the flower, and
almost immediately scorches it up. So man,
when he flourishes most, is for the most
part brought low by the wind of suffering,
trouble, sickness, calamity, and sinks out of
sight."—The
Pulpit Commentary,
1950 ed.,
vol. 8, p. 383.
9.
In contrast, how is God's mercy
described? Ps. 103: 17, 18.
NoTE.—"For the third time God's mercy
and loving-kindness is said to be upon
`them that fear Him,' . . . as if to remind
us that there is a love within a love, a love
42
which they only know who have tasted that
the Lord is gracious, who fear Him and
walk in His ways, as well as a love which
`maketh the sun to shine, and sendeth rain
upon the just and the unjust.' "—J. J. Stew-
art Perowne,
The Book of Psalms,
1868 ed.,
vol. 2, p. 196.
God's mercy is assured to those "that love
Me, and keep My commandments." Ex.
20:6.
"From the interweaving of these two
contrasting elements—the awe of man be-
fore the law of holiness and the ready an-
swer of man to the love which will not let
him go—arises the distinctive mood of grat-
itude in which fear of a majestic God and
love of an intimate friend commingle."—
Samuel Terrien,
The Psalms and Their
Meaning for Today,
page 208.
Universal Invitation to Worship
God
10.
How extensive is God's ruler-
ship? Verse 19.
NOTE.—"As often in the Psalter, the ex-
perience of Israel is recounted as teaching
a lesson for all mankind. If the whole
human race acknowledged His rule, His
benefits would be enjoyed by all men."—
The Psalms
(Soncino edition), page 335.
11.
Whom does David now call
upon to bless the Lord? Verses 20, 21.
Compare Ps. 148:2.
NOTE.—"We are informed in Scripture as
to the number, and the power and glory, of
the heavenly beings, of their connection
with the government of God, and also of
their relation to the work of redemption.
`The Lord hath prepared His throne in the
heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.'
And, says the prophet, 'I heard the voice
of many angels round about the throne.'
In the presence chamber of the King of
kings they wait—`angels, that excel in
strength,' ministers of His, that do His
pleasure,' hearkening unto the voice of His
word.' Psalm 103:19-21; Revelation 5:11.
Ten thousand times ten thousand and
thousands of thousands, were the heavenly
messengers beheld by the prophet Daniel.
The apostle Paul declared them an innu-
merable company."—The
Great Contro-
versy,
pages 511, 512.
12.
How extensive is the psalmist's
invitation to bless the Lord? Ps. 103:
22, first clause. Compare
Ps. 19:1-4;
145:10;
148:7-13.
NOTE—"The 'works of God'—i.e. His
material universe—cannot, of course, be said
to 'bless' God in the same sense that men
and angels do; but, in a language of their
own, they set forth His glory, and to the
poetic mind seem truly to sing His praise."
—The Pulpit Commentary,
vol. 8, p. 383.
13.
With what personal invitation
does the psalm close? Ps. 103:22,
second clause.
NoTE.—"After the universal paean of
praise there is an infinite pathos in David's
repetition of the phrase with which the
psalm began. Conscious that the universe
is now vocal with the praise of God he
would also have his own voice heard."—
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 103:22.
"The song of thanksgiving which began
as an intimate dialogue between a man and
his soul—the totality of his being—has
swollen to the volume of the universe. We
hear for a few instants the hymns of the
celestial chorus, but the final note reminds
us of the psalmist's original intent. As the
sound of brass, woodwinds, and strings is
subdued in a swift decrescendo, the world
fades out, and the immense perspectives
are focused once more on the secret sanc-
tuary of a single, serene, forgiven man, who
then calls as he initially did,
sotto voce,
`Bless Yahweh, 0 my soul!' "—Samuel Ter-
rien,
The Psalms and Their Meaning for
Today,
page 208.
For Meditation
1.
How can I fulfill in my daily life the
counsel to "forget not all His benefits"?
2.
Am I actually experiencing God's
blessings as promised in Ps. 103:3-5? If
not, why not?
3.
How do I reconcile God's mercy with
His justice?
Lesson 13, for June 27, 1964
"Give Thanks Unto the Lord"
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 107.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Oh that men would praise the lord for His goodness, and for
His wonderful works to the children of men!" Ps. 107:8.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Ministry of Healing," pages 251-256; "Testimonies," vol. 8, pp.
107-1 13; "S.D.A. Bible Commentary," on Psalm 107; selected psalms of thanks-
giving: Psalms 95 to 100; 103; 104; 145 to 150.
AIM:
To consider God's loving-kindness both in adversity and in prosperity, and
thereby to arouse a spirit of constant gratitude.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
learn memory verse.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
❑
Monday: Questions 5-7; begin read-
ing study helps.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read
further from study helps.
❑
Thursday: Questions 14, 15; finish
reading study helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
[43
1
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Psalmist's Call to Give Thanks
1. A general call to the redeemed.
Ps. 107:1-3.
II. God's Care for Wanderers
2.
The exhausted condition of the
wanderer. Vs. 4,
5.
3.
God's answer to the wanderer's cry.
Vs. 6, 7.
4.
A reasonable call to praise God for
His goodness. Vs. 8, 9.
Ill. God's Care for Prisoners
5.
The helpless condition of the
prisoner. Vs. 10-12.
6.
God's answer to the prisoner's cry.
Vs. 13, 14.
7.
A reasonable call to praise God for
deliverance. Vs. 15, 16.
IV. God's Care for the Afflicted
8.
The hopeless condition of the
afflicted. Vs. 17, 18.
9.
God's answer to the cry of the
afflicted. Vs. 19, 20.
10.
A reasonable call to praise God for
healing. Vs. 21, 22.
V. God's Care for Seafarers
11.
The helpless condition of the sea-
farer in a storm. Vs. 23-27.
12.
God's answer to the cry of the
storm-tossed. Vs. 28-30.
13.
A reasonable call to praise God for
safe arrival. Vs. 31, 32.
VI. A Contrast
14. God's dealings with the righteous
and the wicked. Vs. 33-41.
VII. The Psalmist's Appeal
15. Understanding promised to the wise
observer. Vs. 42, 43.
THE LESSON
NOTE.—"The redeemed, of all people,
have most reason to say that God is good
and that His mercy is everlasting. Far more
than we do, we should relate what Christ
has done for us, and our love for Him will
deepen as we give expression to
it."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 107:2.
"Far more than we do, we need to speak
of the precious chapters in our experience.
We should speak of the mercy and loving-
kindness of God, of the matchless depths of
the Saviour's love. Our words should be
words of praise and thanksgiving."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 338.
The word translated "mercy," as used
here, means "divine love," God's "loving-
kindness." "The Psalmist was conscious that
God's goodness and mercy were following
him constantly (see on Ps. 23:6). In all
the trying circumstances of life it is com-
forting to know that the great heart of
God is full of loving-kindness and tender
mercy toward the children of men."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 107:1.
"Let praise and thanksgiving be expressed
in song. When tempted, instead of giving
utterance to our feelings, let us by faith lift
up a song of thanksgiving to God. . . .
"Song is a weapon that we can always use
against discouragement. As we thus open
[ 44 ]
Introduction
Of great poetic charm, Psalm 107, a psalm
of thanksgiving, has four symmetrical stan-
zas (verses 4-9, 10-16, 17-22, 23-32) intro-
duced by a call to give thanks, and followed
by a contrast of God's dealings with the righ-
teous and the wicked and an appeal to the
wise observer. Each of the four symmetrical
stanzas follows this pattern: description of
the calamity, prayer for help, God's im-
mediate answer, call to give thanks, reason
for thanksgiving. In each of these four
stanzas appears a double refrain with slight
variations (verses 6-9, 13-16, 19-22, 28-32).
In an age marked by a lack of gratitude
(see 2 Tim. 3:2), the psalm has a special
message.
"How few hearts are full of gratitude and
thanksgiving because they are called and
honored to act a part in the work of God, be-
ing partakers with Christ of His sufferings!"
—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 426.
The Psalmist's Call to Give Thanks
1. To whom does the psalmist ad-
dress his invitation to give thanks?
Ps. 107:1-3.
the heart to the sunlight of the Saviour's
presence, we shall have health and His
blessing."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page
254.
God's Care for Wanderers
2.
How is the wanderer's condition
described? Verses 4, 5.
Nom—Although this refers primarily to
the experience of the children of Israel, we
are all pilgrims and sojourners on earth,
and God promises to lead us to the heavenly
city. See Heb. 11:10. When despair is
about to take hold of us, we should re-
member that the redeemed of God should
take heart.
3.
What is God's answer to the
wanderer's cry for rescue? Verses 6, 7.
Nom—It seems natural for man to cry
to God for help when he is pushed to ex-
tremity. How much better to recognize
constantly His overruling providence and
protecting hand!
The "right way" is literally the "straight
way" or "level way." "The paths of sin are
crooked ways. The straight way is the
quickest and easiest route to our eternal
home."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
107:7.
4.
What reason for praising God
does the wanderer have? Verses 8, 9.
NOTE.—"This is a picture of every child
of Adam before the great Deliverer comes
to open the prison doors and set him free:
The work of the Redeemer was to open
the prison to them that were bound and
proclaim liberty to the captives (see Isa.
61:1; Luke 4:17,
18)."—S.D.A. Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ps. 107:10.
6.
What is God's answer to the
prisoner's cry for deliverance? Verses
13, 14.
NOTE.—"When we come to the end of
our earthly resources and appeal to God,
He never fails to answer. Again and again
the children of Israel were defeated in
battle and brought into subjection by the
enemy, but as soon as they cried unto the
Lord for help, He raised up a deliverer to
rescue them (Judges 3:7-9, 12-15; 4:1-4;
6:1-14; etc.)."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 107:13.
7.
What reason for thanksgiving
does the prisoner have? Verses 15, 16.
NoTE.—"In olden times, to secure the
gates of cities, it was customary to cover
them with thick plates of brass and iron.
This was a protection against the enemy.
But brazen gates or iron bars cannot secure
a city against falling into the hands of the
instrument chosen by God to deliver His
people."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps.
107:16.
God's Care for the Afflicted
NoTE.—"Even in the wilderness, Israel's
needs were supplied. God furnished them
with water from the flinty rock and pro-
vided bread from heaven for them. The
same God lives still. He will satisfy all who
hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt.
5:6). He never turns anyone away empty."
—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 107:9.
God's Care for Prisoners
8.
What indicates the serious physi-
cal condition of those who depart
from God? Verses 17, 18.
9.
What is God's response to the
cry of the afflicted for relief? Verses
19, 20.
5. How helpless is the lot of the
NOTE.—"Often those who are in health
prisoner? Verses 10-12.
forget the wonderful mercies continued to
[45
]
"Every day some portion of
the time should be appropri-
ated to the study of the les-
sons."—Counsels on Sabbath
School Work,
page 53.
them day by day, year after year, and they
render no tribute of praise to God for His
benefits. But when sickness comes, God is
remembered. When human strength fails,
men feel their need of divine help. And
never does our merciful God turn from the
soul that in sincerity seeks Him for help.
He is our refuge in sickness as in health."—
The Ministry of Healing,
page
225.
10.
By what acts should the af-
flicted one acknowledge God's good-
ness? Verses 21, 22.
God's Care for Seafarers
11.
How is the plight of the sea-
farer in a storm described? Verses
23-27.
12.
What is God's answer to the
cry of the storm-tossed seafarer?
Verses 28-30.
NOTE.—"Every man's experience testifies
to the truth of the words of Scripture, 'The
wicked are like the troubled sea, when it
cannot rest. . . . There is no peace, saith
my God, to the wicked.' Isa. 57:20, 21. Sin
has destroyed our peace. While self is un-
subdued, we can find no rest. The master-
ful passions of the heart no human power
can control. We are as helpless here as
were the disciples to quiet the raging storm.
But He who spoke peace to the billows of
Galilee has spoken the word of peace for
every soul. However fierce the tempest,
those who turn to Jesus with the cry, 'Lord,
save us,' will find deliverance. His grace,
that reconciles the soul to God, quiets the
strife of human passion, and in His love the
heart is at rest."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
336.
13.
Where especially should the
traveler express his thanksgiving?
Verses 31, 32.
A Contrast
14.
How are God's dealings with
the righteous and the wicked con-
trasted? Verses 33-41.
NorE.—"Minished" is an archaic word
meaning "diminished" or "lessened."
The Psalmist's Appeal
15.
What will the one understand
who observes God's dealings with
men, as illustrated in this psalm?
Verses 42, 43. Compare Hosea 14:9.
NOTE.—"God speaks to us through His
providential workings and through the in-
fluence of His Spirit upon the heart. In
our circumstances and surroundings, in the
changes daily taking place around us, we
may find precious lessons if our hearts are
but open to discern
them."—Steps to Christ,
page 87.
"Things like this do not just happen of
themselves; they are proofs of the sovereign
and wise providence of God."—H. C. Leu-
pold,
Exposition of the Psalms,
page 761.
For Meditation
1.
Am I learning to discern God's provi-
dences in the common affairs of life, in ad-
versity as well as in prosperity?
2.
What benefits do I derive from the
fellowship of giving thanks in public wor-
ship?
3.
What does this mean: "Man's extrem-
ity is God's opportunity"?
[ 46 J
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
June 27, 1964
Work Among the North American Indians
For the first time in the history of the church, the overflow this
quarter is dedicated to work for the Indians of North America.
There are about 650,000 Indians in scattered groups in the United
States and Canada, divided into some seventy-five linguistic families.
Adhering in the past to the most primitive forms of religion, comparable
to animism (the belief that all objects are possessed with an indwelling
soul), the Indian now responds to the gospel of Christ when it is
presented in kindness by those who have his best interests at heart.
The "everlasting gospel" of the third angel's message provides reality
to the Indian's vision of his homeland. We cannot, and we must not,
fail in inviting them to the tremendous tribal gathering of the great
Chief of us all—Christ our Lord.
To help accomplish this mission, the Sabbath schools of the world
are invited to contribute through the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on
June 27 toward a boys' dormitory at the Navajo Mission School at
Holbrook, Arizona; a medical mission boat to minister to the Indians
along the coast in British Columbia; and the Lumbee Indian Mission
School in North Carolina.
We believe the advent believers in all lands will welcome this op-
portunity to extend a helping hand to this mission field in the midst
of the land that cradled the advent message and from which its beams
have reached "clear round the world."
LESSONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1964
Sabbath school members who have failed to receive a senior
Lesson Quarterly
for the third quarter of 1964 will be helped by the following outline in studying the
first lesson. The title of the lessons for the quarter is "The Christian Home and
Healthful Living." The title of the first lesson is "Marriage, Its Divine Origin and
Purpose." The memory verse is Prov. 18:22. The texts to be studied are:
Ques. 1. Gen. 2:18.
Ques. 2. Gen. 2:21-24.
Ques. 3. John 2:1, 2.
Ques. 4. Prov. 5:18.
Ques. 5. Gen. 24:67.
Ques. 6. Gen. 24:50, 58.
Ques. 7. Gen. 27:46; 28:1; 1 Cor. 7:39;
2 Cor. 6:14.
Ques. 8. Heb. 13:4.
Ques. 9. Rom. 7:2; Matt. 19:6.
Ques. 10. Gen. 1:28.
Ques. 11. Gen. 2:24; Mark 10:6, 7.
Ques. 12. Mark 10:8, 9.
Ques. 13. Prov. 18:22 ; 19:14.
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NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION
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UNION
POPULATION
CHURCHES
CH. MEM.
SS MEM.
ATLANTIC
27347,131
245
25,880
26,335
CANADIAN
18,040,000
168
15,311
17,157
CENTRAL
10.047.073
291
25,113
24,408
COLUMBIA
37,230,852
446
42,228
44,928
LAKE
26518,627
439
39,956
41,609
NORTHERN
7,484.361
214
12,682
11,408
NORTH PACIFIC
6,190,026
304
41,389
42,523
PACIFIC UNION
18,828,042
412
82,747
84,216
SOUTHERN
27,883,551
468
45,733
44,189
SOUTHWESTERN
17,848,972
281
21,350
26,728
NORTH AMERICA
197,418,635
3.268
352,389
363,501